Red tape that is holding back robotics and defence innovation in the UK is set to be reviewed under an expanded remit for the government’s Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO).
The watchdog, launched in October 2024, has named robotics and defence as new priority areas as it looks to tackle regulation it believes is outdated or duplicative and is slowing emerging technologies from reaching the market.
The RIO said it has already spoken to more than 150 businesses and is working on reforms across sectors worth more than £100 billion.
It pointed to earlier work with the Civil Aviation Authority to simplify approvals for drone flights, claiming the changes helped medical delivery firm Apian cut journey times from 30 minutes by van to two minutes by drone.
The government said the new focus reflects the UK’s strength in robotics and defence technologies, where companies are developing tools that could be used in hazardous or difficult environments.
These range from inspecting offshore wind turbines, checking pipes in nuclear facilities and monitoring activity at sea.
However, it said developers are often forced to navigate multiple regulatory systems at once.
For example, a company building autonomous inspection drones may need separate approval for aviation, data protection and sector-specific safety rules – a process that can take months and add significant costs.
The organisation will look to streamline overlapping requirements, with the aim of speeding up adoption while maintaining safety standards.
“British innovators shouldn’t be held back by needless red tape,” said Minister for Digital Economy, Liz Lloyd.
“We have world-leading robotics and defence tech firms, but regulations haven’t kept pace with their innovations.
“We’re updating the rules so they work for modern technologies, cutting the barriers that stop these firms from growing and competing globally.”
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, added: “When we said we would make it easier for defence firms to innovate we meant it.
“By cutting red tape, we’re delivering on the Strategic Defence Review’s ambition to fast-track the military equipment our forces need.
“We want the UK to be one of the best places in the world to start and grow a defence business – making defence an engine for growth in every region and nation of the UK.”
Alongside the regulatory push, the government is also launching a £52 million competition to create around five “Robotics Adoption Hubs” across the UK, aimed at helping companies introduce automation into their operations.
The hubs will be run by universities, businesses or public sector organisations selected through a new Innovate UK competition, which is due to open in the coming weeks.
Each hub will receive at least £2m a year for four years, with further funding available for larger bids.
It is expected to become operational in the second half of 2026.