Robotics and Automation

BC&A Innovation

R&D Spotlight

The UK is seeing rapid growth in the use of robotics and automation across manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, healthcare, and other key sectors. From precision robotic arms on production lines to AI-powered automation software and autonomous vehicles, businesses are pushing the boundaries of what machines and systems can achieve.

Developing robotic and automated solutions is rarely straightforward. Projects often require overcoming technical uncertainties, such as ensuring reliability, precision, safety, and integration with existing processes or technologies. R&D tax relief is designed to support this kind of innovation, rewarding UK businesses that advance science or technology by solving complex engineering and software challenges.

If your company is involved in developing new robotic systems, improving existing automation, or tackling integration challenges, you could be eligible for R&D tax relief. Here are some examples of qualifying activities in robotics and automation:

Designing and Engineering New Robotic Systems

Creating new robotic platforms, from autonomous vehicles and drones to robotic arms and industrial manipulators, particularly when developing new control systems, sensors, or mechanical designs.

Improving Precision, Speed, or Load Capacity

Solving challenges related to improving the accuracy, speed, or load-handling capabilities of robotic systems, especially when off-the-shelf solutions aren’t sufficient.

Developing Custom Software for Robotic Control

Creating or refining control algorithms, navigation systems, or machine learning models that enable robots to make real-time decisions or adapt to changing environments.

Overcoming System Integration Challenges

Integrating robotics or automation with existing manufacturing lines, logistics systems, or software platforms where compatibility or performance issues must be resolved.

Improving Human-Robot Interaction and Safety

Developing systems that allow robots and humans to work together safely, such as collision detection, safety zones, or intuitive control interfaces.

Advancing Sensor Technologies and Data Processing

Engineering new sensors or data processing systems that enable robots to detect and respond to their surroundings more effectively, such as visual recognition, LIDAR, or force feedback sensors.

Developing Flexible or Modular Automation Systems

Creating automation platforms that can adapt to different products, processes, or environments, requiring technical work to ensure reliability and reconfigurability.

Meeting Industry-Specific Compliance and Safety Standards

Developing systems that comply with UK safety regulations, such as machinery directives or workplace health and safety standards, particularly where new technology must be validated.

If your business is pushing the limits of robotics and automation technology, you may be eligible to claim R&D tax relief. This incentive helps UK companies recover a portion of their development costs, supporting further investment in efficiency, productivity, and technological leadership.

Our Process

What to expect when working with
BC&A Innovation

1. Discovery Call

Book your FREE 15 minute discovery call today to discuss your R&D activity and we'll guide you on best next steps and estimated claim value.

2. Information gathering

Our technical experts and industry specialists will work with you to uncover all areas of work activity eligible under the R&D scheme, ensuring we have everything we need to support a robust, defensible and maximised claim.

3. Create R&D Tax Claim

Our technical experts will write your claim and supporting documents with a clear assessment of your eligible activity and costs, ensuring compliance with the scheme's governance throughout.

4. Approval & Submission

We'll share, for your approval, the claim draft and supporting documentation. We'll explain in detail how we have arrived at our assessment of your claimable activity, costs and claim value. When you're happy, your claim can be submitted as part of your standard end-of-year processes.

5. Liaising with HMRC

Should HMRC require any further information or have queries regarding your claim, we'll liaise with them to ensure speedy payment without any reduction in claim value.

6. Payment

Once your payment is received, we'll send it across the same working day and advise you on processes that can be put in place to make future claims even more hassle-free. Don't worry about claims going forward, we'll be in regular contact to remind you what is needed and when.

About BC&A Innovation

We've helped hundreds of businesses like yours secure millions in Research & Development tax relief

Our team recognises the importance of R&D in advancing UK businesses, big and small, and we understand the time burden, resources and complexities of claiming tax relief for that R&D. These constraints often leave companies failing to get the tax relief they’re entitled to or underclaiming significantly due to unclear, often confusing guidelines about what constitutes R&D. As experts in R&D tax relief, we’re here to unblur the lines and create robust, defensible and maximised claims on your behalf.

We’re experienced tax professionals, accountants and technical experts with a deep understanding of the R&D tax relief regulations. We’ve worked in many of the industries we now serve and are ideally placed to understand your business’ R&D Activities. As part of HMRC’s panel on R&D, we stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the guidance, to provide our clients with the most accurate and up-to-date advice.

At BC&A Innovation we take the burden of claim generation away from the business so you can do what you do best, while we do what we do best. We pride ourselves on our integrity, professionalism and commitment to our clients.

Not sure if you qualify for R&D tax relief? Book a FREE discovery call today.

Many of the businesses we work with were unsure if they qualified for R&D tax relief at first. A few had even been told by other agencies that they could not claim. Yet, with our help they were able to correctly identify eligible R&D projects and claim back vital funds.

As experts in HMRC’s definitions of Research & Development, we’ll be able to tell you if you should make a claim or not. We’re success fee based, which means it isn’t in our interest or yours to take forward claims that won’t pass HMRC’s stringent checks. If we say it’s worth doing, you can take that to the bank.

Ready for a discovery call? Think of it as a no-obligation chat where we can discuss the work you’ve undertaken and identify tax-saving opportunities. Our expert consultants are keen to speak with you.