Award

Autonomous wheelchair system

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

02 Apr 2025 at 00:00

OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Edinburgh is seeking to enhance its research in autonomous mobility through the procurement of an autonomous wheelchair system. This contract, managed by the University of Edinburgh and awarded to Cyberworks Robotics, falls within the education category in the UK region of Edinburgh. Notably, this procurement has progressed to the award stage, and the contract was signed on 20th March 2025. The procurement method employed is a limited procedure, without the prior publication of a call for competition, justified by a market research indicating a single supplier capable of meeting the requirements. This initiative aims to secure a commercially available, maintainable solution featuring advanced autonomous navigation capabilities and integration possibilities, with a contract valued at USD 106,800.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced robotics, particularly those focusing on autonomous systems and mobility aids. Companies that produce or have expertise in motorized power wheelchairs equipped with sophisticated sensor suites, high-performance onboard computation, and extendable software APIs would be well-suited to engage with such tenders. The emphasis on a complete, off-the-shelf solution with long-term usability and support needs indicates potential for continued collaboration and additional procurement opportunities in the future, fostering business growth and innovation within the technology and healthcare sectors.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Autonomous wheelchair system

Notice Description

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: 1. 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 2. 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 3. 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. 4. 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 5. Additional Considerations Additional components and consumables such as batteries may be required Solution must provide detailed technical documentation and demonstrate previous successful deployments

Lot Information

Lot 1

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: 1. 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 2. 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 3. 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. 4. 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 5. Additional Considerations Additional consumables and components like batteries may be required

Procurement Information

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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000793926
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR527394
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

CPV Codes

33193000 - Invalid carriages, wheelchairs and associated devices

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£106,800 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Apr 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Mar 202511 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
aoughton@ed.ac.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1316502759

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1HT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CYBERWORKS ROBOTICS

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR527394
    Autonomous wheelchair system - 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: 1. 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 2. 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 3. 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. 4. 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 5. Additional Considerations Additional components and consumables such as batteries may be required Solution must provide detailed technical documentation and demonstrate previous successful deployments

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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