---
title: "Autonomous wheelchair system"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000828241"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000828241"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000828241.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000828241.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "University Of Edinburgh"
published: "2026-04-01"
---

# Autonomous wheelchair system

Buyer: University Of Edinburgh  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000828241

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## Summary

The University of Edinburgh has completed the award stage for procuring an autonomous wheelchair system to advance its research in autonomous mobility. As the buying organisation, the University sought a commercially available, off-the-shelf solution that meets various technical specifications, including autonomous navigation with sensor suites and real-time data interfaces. The procurement falls within the education industry category and is located in Edinburgh, UKM75. This process exemplifies a limited procurement method due to the absence of competition for technical reasons. The contract with Cyberworks Robotics, effective from 9th May 2025, amounts to $89,000 USD, establishing a specialised collaboration for this niche requirement.

This procurement presents unique opportunities for businesses engaged in advanced robotics and autonomous systems. Innovators and suppliers who offer off-the-shelf solutions with capabilities such as environment mapping, obstacle avoidance, and a comprehensive API for integration stand to benefit. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those adept in providing long-term maintainable solutions for evolving research needs, are well-suited to partake in similar future opportunities. The contract underlines the potential for growth in supplying specialised technological systems to educational institutions and research bodies, paving the way for business expansion in the robotics sector.

## Notice

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 was 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 provided a VEAT notice 2025/S 000-012576 to inform of the market of its intentions and observed a 'Stand Still' period for suppliers to raise concerns if they wish. This notice is provided retrospectively for transparency to confirm the award

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553002 |
| Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Contract Award 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £89,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | University Of Edinburgh |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Postcode area | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH1 1HT |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | City Centre |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh East and Musselburgh |
| Delivery location | TLM75 City of Edinburgh |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | Cyberworks Robotics |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 33 - Medical equipments, pharmaceuticals and personal care products

### Codes

- 33193000 - Invalid carriages, wheelchairs and associated devices

## Release History

- 1 Apr 2026 at 01:00 - Award - PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553002

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553002
  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

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.ed.ac.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000828241

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000828241. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000828241.json.