Thales UK apprentices win Apprentice Automation Challenge 2026

Team Crysis Cntrl from Thales also won the peer award for their smart cot for infants, designed to enhance infant safety, comfort and wellbeing.

Developed by a team of apprentice engineers, the Smart Cot combines intelligent monitoring and user-friendly functionality to support both babies and parents. 

Judges praised the team for their strong technical execution, innovative thinking and clear understanding of customer needs, demonstrating how modern engineering and digital technologies can be applied to solve real-world challenges, while placing user needs at the centre of product development.

Apprentices from BAE Systems were also recognised for their Ancare product, which addresses the needs of customers with dementia, winning the Judge's Highly Commended award. Head Judge Toby Heagerty described it as a very close race between them and three other teams, with the overall high standard of entries this year making the judging process increasingly difficult to pick award winners.

On behalf of the IMechE's Apprentice Automation Challenge committee and the Manufacturing Industries Division members, we congratulate all apprentices who took part this year and hope you enjoyed the opportunity to develop your skills.

About the Challenge

The Apprentice Automation Challenge invites apprentice engineers from across industry and academia to design, build, and demonstrate a prototype device that automates a common product or process.

The Challenge is a key contributor to the Institution’s goals of helping to develop a future pipeline of engineering talent. It provides an opportunity for apprentice engineers to develop practical engineering, project management and communication skills while working collaboratively to solve real-world challenges. The experience also helps participants build confidence, expand their professional networks and gain recognition for their achievements within the engineering community.

Getting involved

Registration for the 2027 competition will open later this year, and we encourage apprentices of all specialisms to enter a team and benefit from the opportunities to learn and develop.

To be informed when registration opens, sign up to receive an email via our interest form, or email the Apprentice Automation Challenge team.