Funding award for software development project

INSPHERE awarded Government funding for ORA software development project.

INSPHERE Ltd have been awarded funding from Innovate UK as part of The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme.

The funding will enable INSPHERE to develop new functionality for their ORA robot control software to benefit more UK manufacturers.  The project started in October 2026 and will run for 18 months.  Successful project completion will mean that aerospace and other advanced manufacturers will be better able to apply automation and meet rate demands.

Aerospace manufacturing need

Aerospace manufacturers are under increasing pressure to enhance automation across their production lines to meet rising demands for product quality, faster delivery schedules, reduced reliance on manual labour, and improved environmental performance. However, achieving this vision is challenging due to the unique requirements of aerospace manufacturing. The large physical scale of components, coupled with tight tolerances required for structural integrity and performance, complicates the deployment of robotic systems.

To ensure the necessary precision, multiple high-end metrology systems have typically been used in tandem. These systems often rely heavily on the expertise of skilled metrologists for setup, operation, and interpretation of data. This not only increases operational cost and complexity but also creates a significant barrier to widespread adoption of automated processes as advanced manufacturers are increasingly challenged by a shortage of skilled workers.

INSPHERE aims to overcome these barriers by developing its existing software platform, ORA, into a universal connector between metrology instruments and robotic systems.

A live demonstrator will be hosted at AMRC Cymru, integrating multiple metrology systems, robotic arms, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), all connected through the Factory+ digital infrastructure. Artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, developed by AMRC F2050, will be used to extract insights and enable autonomous decision-making in manufacturing processes.

The outcome will be a new software platform that delivers a step change in smart, adaptive automation – directly applicable to industry leaders – and a transformative technology for global aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

About INSPHERE and ORA robot control software

INSPHERE was founded in 2013 to provide a unique blend of metrology and manufacturing expertise. 

ORA robot control software plays a key role in facilitating more accurate and reliable automated processes.  Advanced manufacturers benefit from fewer quality issues, improved throughput, lower material waste, reduced downtime and greater production efficiencies overall – ultimately enhancing profitability.

The AMRC will receive an additional significant grant which will enable them to set up a multi-robot demonstrator in their centre based in North Wales, ideally situated to inform work within advanced manufacturing in the area, which includes aerospace OEMs and tier one suppliers.

Interested in how INSPHERE’s precision metrology solutions could support your manufacturing process?

Get in touch at insphereltd.com/contact

If your team is evaluating closed-loop inspection for a current or planned robot cell project, we would welcome the conversation — contact us today. 

Publication date: November 2026