A next-generation robot that can function with human-like dexterity, allowing operators to perform precision-led operations in the world’s most extreme danger zones is the challenge being met by manufacturing design engineers at the University of Sheffield AMRC. 

The new project, Remote Embodied Action and Control Hub (REACH), will use elevated telexistence technology, which enables a person to manoeuvre a robot while experiencing a realistic, real-time sensation from a remote location. It will help to tackle a critical challenge the Ministry of Defence (MOD) faces in protecting personnel from the escalating dangers of modern conflict. 

David King, head of digital design at the AMRC, is leading the project which is backed by £1.6 million from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the MOD.

He said: “Current remote robotic systems help keep people out of harm’s way, but they are limited and often lack the fine motor skills, situational awareness and intuitive control required for complex operations. Because the operator can’t feel what they are touching or see clearly, simple tasks become difficult and dangerous to perform.

“Project REACH moves beyond incremental improvements to deliver a definitive step-change in capability. Transforming high-fidelity telexistence from a theoretical concept into a robust, deployable reality. 

“We are developing a human-centric system that gives an operator the dexterity and sensory feedback to perform complex, delicate tasks  – as if they were present at the remote location, but from a place of safety. These include those needed in bomb disposal or in chemical, radiological or nuclear environments. 

AMRC design engineers already have extensive experience working with telexistence systems - REACH builds on the award-winning MediTel system  – a mobile, robotic-controlled uncrewed ground vehicle, equipped with virtual reality technology, to enable medics to assess critical casualties in hazardous environments and allowing them to perform a triage remotely. 

David said REACH will begin with intensive co-design workshops with stakeholders to ensure the technology is aligned with real-world operational needs and the end goal is to create a system where the operator feels truly embodied in the remote robot, providing an intuitive, low-latency experience that mimics human senses and movement.

He added: “We are moving beyond the fragmented landscape of academic prototypes by engineering a holistic, high-technology readiness level telexistence platform. Our focus is on system-level integration and commercial viability, transforming laboratory-grade innovations into a resilient, scalable, and deployable end-to-end solution.”

Giles Moore, technical partner at Dstl, said: “Defence is an engine for growth across the UK. Dstl’s human augmentation project is exploring opportunities presented by emergent technologies for UK Defence. 

“Our work on telexistence demonstrates how we are supporting our academic and industry partners to develop new capabilities using a human-centred design approach.”

Key innovations of the REACH project will include:

• Human-like dexterity: The robot will feature anthropomorphic five-digit grippers controlled by an operator wearing haptic gloves. This will allow operators to mimic fine motor skills and feel what the robot is touching.
• True Telepresence: Our next-generation human machine interface dissolves the boundary between the user and the remote site. By combining high-resolution 360° imaging with spacial immersive audio, operators can see, hear, and react to the environment as if they were physically present.
• Reduce operator fatigue: By taking a human-factors approach, the project will specifically address feedback from previous MediTel trials. The new ergonomic interface will be designed to minimise the cognitive and physical workload on users, making the system more effective and sustainable for long-duration tasks.