An Edinburgh-based startup is among the global finalists competing for $10 million of prizes at the ANA Avatar XPrize Finals.

Touchlab was chosen out of 37 semi-finalists after judges evaluated a system developed by the company to allow humans to control robots in real time.

The ANA Avatar prize was devised to promote the creation of an avatar system capable of transporting a human presence to remote locations and receive information as if they were physically there. This would allow humans to operate robots in places that people might struggle to reach or operate.

Systems like this could be used in disaster relief scenarios, allowing skilled professionals like doctors to provide their skills and expertise in remote or dangerous environments. They could also be used to provide maintenance or repairs to critical infrastructure, such as oil rigs or deep-sea wind turbines without putting workers at risk.

XPrize is looking for companies that can develop a physical, non-autonomous Avatar System with the ability to integrate multiple emerging technologies. This will allow an operator to see, hear, and interact within a remote environment in a manner that feels as if they are truly there.

Touchlab uses cutting-edge electronic skin to build teleoperated robot avatars in outer space and hazardous environments. The company produces a product called eDermis, which can sense pressure, while its in-development Shear e-skin can sense shear forces. This can provide operators with critical information in real time about the work a robot is doing.

The Edinburgh startup is competing against another 14 teams from eight countries for the grand prize.

Testing for the Finals will take place in autumn 2022. Finalists will receive equal shares of a $2m milestone prize purse, with a chance to win part of the $8m Finals prize purse. The overall winner will take home the grand prize $5m, with second and third place getting $2m and $1m.

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Touchlab was recognised at the Scottish EDGE awards in October last year, where it scooped the Higgs EDGE award for science, technology, and engineering-focused businesses.

“The possibility of living in a world where individuals can provide aid during a crisis in a different country without ever leaving the comfort of their homes is closer than ever,” said CEO of XPRIZE Anousheh Ansari.

“While it’s been difficult this year to predict what the future will bring for the evolving health landscape, these avatar solutions will solve real world problems and can bring people together in more ways than ever before.

“We’re looking forward to supporting these incredible Finalist teams competing in the ANA Avatar XPRIZE and their technology into the future.”

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