Official UK procurement notice
Autonomous wheelchair system · UK public procurement notice
Authority: University Of Edinburgh (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe University of Edinburgh seeks to procure an autonomous wheelchair system to support research in autonomous mobility. The system must be an off-the-shelf, commercially available, and maintainable solution capable of full autonomous navigation, with the following key requirements:
- Base Wheelchair Requirements
Motorized power wheelchair suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments
Stable and ergonomic design to ensure safe autonomous operation
Compatible with additional hardware/software for autonomous navigation integration
- Autonomous Navigation System
Sensor Suite:
Odometry system for precise movement tracking
IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) for motion sensing
Lidar-based environment mapping and real-time obstacle detection
Depth cameras for enhanced spatial awareness and localization
Onboard Computation & Interface:
High-performance computing unit capable of processing sensor data in real-time
User interface (e.g., touchscreen or equivalent) for system interaction and configuration
- Navigation Software & API Requirements
Autonomous navigation software with the following capabilities:
Mapping & Localization – Ability to autonomously generate and use maps of the environment
Route Teaching & Execution – Manual input of custom paths and automated path following
Obstacle Avoidance & Safety Features – Intelligent real-time navigation ensuring safe maneuverability
Configurable & Extendable API Access – The software must provide a documented API allowing for:
External control via custom-developed applications
Real-time access to navigation and sensor data
Integration with additional robotics frameworks if required
The software must support long-term usability, allowing for custom modifications, additional research integrations, and future feature expansions.
- Compliance & Maintainability
The system must be a commercially available product, not a prototype or experimental development
Must have long-term support and maintenance available in case of request from us
Hardware and software should be upgradeable to support evolving research needs
- Additional Considerations
Additional components and consumables such as batteries may be required
Solution must provide detailed technical documentation and demonstrate previous successful deployments
CPV: Invalid carriages, wheelchairs and associated devices
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1Specification for Requirement
Specification for Requirement
The University of Edinburgh seeks to procure an autonomous wheelchair system to support research in autonomous mobility. The system must be an off-the-shelf, commercially available, and maintainable solution capable of full autonomous navigation, with the following key requirements:
- Base Wheelchair Requirements
Motorized power wheelchair suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments
Stable and ergonomic design to ensure safe autonomous operation
Compatible with additional hardware/software for autonomous navigation integration
- Autonomous Navigation System
Sensor Suite:
Odometry system for precise movement tracking
IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) for motion sensing
Lidar-based environment mapping and real-time obstacle detection
Depth cameras for enhanced spatial awareness and localization
Onboard Computation & Interface:
High-performance computing unit capable of processing sensor data in real-time
User interface (e.g., touchscreen or equivalent) for system interaction and configuration
- Navigation Software & API Requirements
Autonomous navigation software with the following capabilities:
Mapping & Localization – Ability to autonomously generate and use maps of the environment
Route Teaching & Execution – Manual input of custom paths and automated path following
Obstacle Avoidance & Safety Features – Intelligent real-time navigation ensuring safe maneuverability
Configurable & Extendable API Access – The software must provide a documented API allowing for:
External control via custom-developed applications
Real-time access to navigation and sensor data
Integration with additional robotics frameworks if required
The software must support long-term usability, allowing for custom modifications, additional research integrations, and future feature expansions.
- Compliance & Maintainability
The system must be a commercially available product, not a prototype or experimental development
Must have long-term support and maintenance available in case of request from us
Hardware and software should be upgradeable to support evolving research needs
- Additional Considerations
Additional consumables and components like batteries may be required
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Direct award (no call for competition)
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 2 Apr 2025, 15:15 BST
- Last source update
- 2 Apr 2025, 15:15 BST
- Authority reference
NCA21327- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-012576- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fc24Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive
- Published justification
Following market research by subject matter specialist it is reasonably believed that there is only one supplier who is likely to be able to fulfil the requirement so competition is absent for technical reasons. The key issue is the combination of a system which is 'Out of the box' (i.e. a readily available commercial product), has the extensive advanced autonomous capabilities and sensing technology required, and, exposes its control systems and technologies via a documented, customer-accessible public API (for external control, real-time data access, integration with other robotic systems). It is also believed that owing to the low value of the opportunity that a full procurement exercise would not be proportionate.
The University provides this notice to inform of the market of its intentions and shall observe a 'Stand Still' period as set out in the regulations; should any supplier wish to challenge the University they should do so by contacting the individual named on the VEAT during the Stand Still and the University at its sole option may cancel the award.
Publisher note: NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=793926. (SC Ref:793926)
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberworks RoboticsSME | US$106,800 † | — | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 012576-2025-1 · Cyberworks RoboticsSME
- Signed
- 20 Mar 2025
- Value
- US$106,800
- Status
- active
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Edinburgh Sheriff CourtReview body
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- Cyberworks RoboticsAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.