Pilot programmes
Robot pilot programme UK — proof of concept and trials
A focused, supervised pilot — or proof of concept — that tests one well-defined use case before any wider rollout, so the decision is made on evidence rather than promise.
Every pilot starts with an integration review: the task, the site and what the robot must report into, agreed before anything is scoped. How our integration software is designed to work
Why Pilots
What a robot pilot programme involves
Enterprise robotics adoption rarely starts with a purchase. It starts with a focused pilot that tests a single, well-defined use case under proper supervision.
A well-designed pilot replaces speculation with evidence. It answers the practical questions buyers care about — how a robot behaves around people, how it is supervised and onboarded, where the realistic limits are, and what support looks like — before anyone commits to a wider rollout. A pilot, or proof of concept, is the lowest-risk way for a UK business to find out what is genuinely possible.
What's Included
What a Forge pilot programme covers
A clear, independent scope focused on safety, realistic outcomes and measurable results.
Use-case definition
We define the specific task, environment and constraints a pilot should address, and what a realistic outcome looks like.
Independent platform fit
An independent view of which humanoid, quadruped or service robots may suit the task — matched to the work, not to a brand.
Safety and onboarding planning
Supervision, access and onboarding planned around your existing procedures from the outset.
Clear success measures
Agreed, measurable objectives so everyone knows what the pilot is testing and how it will be judged.
Demonstration access
Demonstrations in a relevant setting so teams can see realistic capability before any commitment.
Evaluation and reporting
A grounded review of outcomes against the success measures, with honest next-step recommendations.
How It Works
A four-step pilot path
Each step de-risks the next — from defining the use case through to a clear, evidence-based decision.
Step 1
Scope and use-case definition
Identify the task, environment and constraints, and define what success would look like for a focused first pilot.
Step 2
Demonstration and platform fit
Demonstrate realistic capability in a relevant setting and shortlist suitable platforms on an independent basis.
Step 3
Supervised pilot
Run a low-risk, supervised pilot with safety planning and onboarding aligned to your existing procedures.
Step 4
Evaluation and decision
Assess outcomes against the agreed measures and decide together on realistic next steps.
Worked example
A worked example — from task to plan
An illustrative example of how a typical first pilot takes shape, from a real workplace task to an evidence-based decision.
The task
A defined, hard-to-staff job
A distribution site struggles to staff a repetitive four-hour tote-moving task between a conveyor and a staging area. The task is bounded, well understood and ergonomically poor — a strong pilot candidate.
The demo
Platforms shown against the task
Two or three suitable humanoid platforms are shortlisted on an independent basis and demonstrated against a mock-up of the task, so the team judges realistic capability — not a showreel.
The trial
A four-week supervised pilot
The best-fit platform runs the task under supervision with measures agreed in writing first: totes per hour, intervention rate, uptime and behaviour around staff. Safety planning follows existing site procedures.
The plan
Evidence-based decision
The evaluation reports against the agreed measures with an honest recommendation: scale to more hours or tasks, adjust and re-test, or stop — with costed options for whichever route the evidence supports.
Related
Before you pilot, and after
Frequently asked questions
What is a robot pilot programme or proof of concept?
A small, tightly scoped trial that tests one well-defined task with a real robot in a real setting, under supervision and against agreed success measures — so a wider rollout decision is made on evidence rather than a brochure. “Pilot” and “proof of concept (POC)” are used interchangeably for this first step.
How long does a robot pilot run?
Scoping and safety planning typically take a few weeks, and the supervised pilot itself usually runs two to six weeks depending on the task — long enough to judge consistency and intervention rates honestly, rather than a one-day showcase.
Do we need to buy a robot to run a pilot?
Not always, and this is worth scoping early: depending on the platform and manufacturer, options can include hire, loan or evaluation arrangements as well as purchase. Where a purchase is required, an entry-level platform often makes a first pilot far more affordable than expected.
What does a pilot cost?
It depends on platform, duration and site requirements, which is why scoping comes first — you get a clear picture of costs and options before committing. Grant or innovation funding can sometimes contribute towards a suitable project; eligibility is never guaranteed and we assess it honestly.
How do we know if the pilot has succeeded?
Success measures are agreed in writing before the pilot starts — typically task completion and consistency, intervention rate, behaviour around people, and operational fit. The evaluation reports against those measures, including an honest recommendation if the answer is “not yet”.
Pilot Opportunities
Ready to scope a robot pilot?
Start with an integration review: the task, the site and the systems the robot must report into. The pilot is scoped from that, with success measures agreed before anything runs.