From underwater habitats to 'space taxis,' the UK is staking its claim to be an innovation hub
Published April 11, 2025
As the birthplace of many world-changing ideas, the UK has a long history of innovation. It kickstarted the Industrial Revolution and fostered generations of talented inventors whose ideas shaped the modern world — the steam engine, the bicycle, the light bulb, concrete, the jet engine, lithium batteries and the World Wide Web, to name just a few.
However, in more recent times, the UK has faced stiff competition in technological innovation. China, Japan, South Korea, Germany and France all file more patents, as does the US, with Silicon Valley in California the center of the world’s tech startup ecosystem.
The country has also had to deal with Brexit and its impact on the flow of talent and investment.
Despite the well-documented challenges of Brexit and the economic and geopolitical upheaval of the past decade, the UK continues to be a center for excellence in education, with some of the world’s most revered universities. It also ranks 5th in the Global Innovation Index 2024, and third after the US and China in the Global Vibrancy Tool 2024, which looks at countries leading in AI. As the UK aims to build on its rich heritage in tech innovation, we look at how some of the key inventions of the past connect to present research that has the potential to transform the future.
underwater
From the submarine to underwater living
DEEP is building underwater habitats, shown in this artist's impression, to allow humanity to colonize the depths of the oceans. DEEP
Humankind has long been fascinated by exploring the depths of the ocean. The earliest design for a submarine dates back to 1578, when British mathematician and writer William Bourne imagined an “enclosed boat” with a wooden frame and leather covers that could take people underwater.
He did not build it, but his design might have inspired Dutch inventor Cornelis Drebbel, who was at the service of King James I of England when he created the first functional submarine, in 1620. His “diving boat” traveled under the Thames in London, from Westminster to Greenwich, at a depth of up to 15 feet (4.5 meters).
DEEP's Sentinel underwater habitat would allow people to live at a depth of 650 feet (200 meters) for up to a month. DEEP
DEEP
In a flooded quarry near Bristol, England, ocean technology and exploration company DEEP is developing Sentinel— a modular underwater habitat that could allow humans to colonize the seafloor.
Sentinel would allow people to live at a depth of 650 feet (200 meters) for up to a month, and DEEP hopes to launch the first underwater colony in 2027.
The habitat can be adapted into different shapes and could be used by scientists for ocean exploration or teams recovering shipwrecks. DEEP is also working on a smaller habitat, called Vanguard, which would allow three people to remain underwater for a week. The ultimate goal is to create an oceanic equivalent of the International Space Station, with the aim to “make humans aquatic.”
starbound
From Newton’s telescope to 'space taxis'
Skyrora is building small rockets to place satellites into space. Skyrora
Among his many achievements, English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton revolutionized the way we look at the cosmos. In 1668, he built the world’s first reflecting telescope, which had the distinction of using a curved mirror.
Among his many achievements, English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton revolutionized the way we look at the cosmos. In 1668, he built the world’s first reflecting telescope, which had the distinction of using a curved mirror.
Until that time, telescopes had used lenses, which produced false colors as light dispersed through them, in the same way as when light passes through a prism. But light simply bounces off a mirror, maintaining observational accuracy. This type of telescope was also cheaper to build and scale up, marking a crucial development in the field of optics.
Skyrora has been testing its Skylark L rocket. Skyrora
SKYRORA
Over 350 years after Newton’s invention, the UK is stepping up its efforts in the space race with its first ever licensed vertical launch spaceport: SaxaVord, in Scotland’s Shetland Islands.Skyrora, also based in Scotland, is among the companies hoping to use it to launch small rockets that deliver payloads into orbit.
Globally, other companies already provide rideshare programs that take private satellites into space, but Skyrora aims to offer a more bespoke service with greater flexibility. It says it could save satellite companies six months in deployment time and deliver payloads directly to their chosen orbit.
It has test-launched its 11.65 meter-tall (38-foot) suborbital rocket, Skylark L, from Iceland, and the company is also developing its main rocket, the multi-stage Skylark XL, which is roughly twice as long.
Skyrora has also developed Ecosene, a greener kerosene that can be used as rocket fuel and is made from plastic waste, including packaging that is difficult to recycle because it contains mixed materials. The company says Ecosene production reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 70% compared to regular kerosene.
Offshore
From the hovercraft to boats that generate power
Drift Energy is developing boats with underwater turbines that use wind to make clean energy, shown in this artist’s impression. DRIFT
The hovercraft was invented by English engineer Christopher Cockerell, who thought that a boat could reach record speeds if its entire body could somehow be lifted out of the water. Supposedly starting out with a vacuum cleaner and tin cans, he applied for a patent in 1955 and eventually convinced aerospace company and shipbuilder Saunders-Roe Limited to create a four-ton prototype, which crossed the English Channel for the first time on July 25, 1959.
In the following decades, hovercraft as heavy as 250 tons and capable of carrying 400 passengers and 50 cars were on scheduled ferry services across the channel. Although they have fallen out of fashion in recent years, they are still being built and used around the world and are, among other things, ideal to explore delicate ecosystems because they don’t produce a dangerous wake.
Drift Energy is developing its first commercial-class models, which will be 190 feet (58 meters) long, shown in this artist’s impression. DRIFT
DRIFT ENERGY
The idea of speed is at the core of Drift Energy, a British startup that uses wind to create what it describes as “fishing boats for energy,” or a “new class of mobile renewable power.”
The boats, inspired by racing yachts, are equipped with underwater turbines that create electricity as the vessels are propelled by the wind, and the electricity is then turned into hydrogen gas via an on-board device. The gas is stored and then offloaded at a port, to be used as clean fuel.
The boats, inspired by racing yachts, are equipped with underwater turbines that create electricity as the vessels are propelled by the wind, and the electricity is then turned into hydrogen gas via an on-board device. The gas is stored and then offloaded at a port, to be used as clean fuel.
Drift has built two small prototypes, and is now gearing up to create the first commercial-class models, which will be 190 feet (58 meters) long and produce up to 330,000 pounds (150,000 kilograms) of hydrogen gas per year. Initially, they will be prohibitively expensive, at £20 million (about $24 million) each, but the company hopes to reduce costs as it scales up to create a global fleet of power-making boats.
Skyward
From the jet engine to hydrogen propulsion
ZeroAvia aims to speed up aviation's efforts to cut emissions by developing a series of hydrogen-powered aircraft engines. ZeroAvia
English aviator and engineer Frank Whittle patented the jet engine in 1930 and first tested it on the ground in 1937. He was beaten to the skies by German designer Hans Pabst von Ohain, whose design was used in the first jet engine-powered aircraft in 1939.
As World War II broke out, Whittle received more support to develop his invention, which made its own maiden flight in 1941. This type of engine does away with propellers and uses a turbine instead, which mixes fuel and hot gas to produce a hot, fast stream at the back — the “jet.” Although its initial adoption was in the military, the jet engine — more reliable, safer and faster — revolutionized civilian aviation, bringing air travel to the masses.
ZeroAvia is developing hydrogen engines for aircraft. ZeroAvia
ZEROAVIA
As more and more people fly, commercial aviation is facing a huge challenge in reducing its environmental impact, because there isn’t a simple way to cut its carbon emissions. One promising new technology is hydrogen propulsion, which — provided the hydrogen is made using renewable energy — can be essentially emission-free.
British startup ZeroAvia is at the forefront of this new wave, and is developing hydrogen-powered engines. It has completed over a dozen test flights with a 19-seater Dornier plane, and says it has over 2,000 pre-orders for its hydrogen-electric system. ZeroAvia claims it will reduce a flight’s climate impact by 95%, and offer lower maintenance costs to airlines. Initially, its engine will be able to power small regional aircraft with room for up to 20 passengers, but the company hopes to scale up to the commuter plane market over the next few years.
freewheeling
From traffic lights to autonomous driving
Nissan is using the UK's country roads to put its self-driving technologies to the test. Nissan
The world’s first traffic lights were installed in 1868, outside London’s Houses of Parliament. Invented by railway engineer J.P. Knight, they had semaphore arms, much like a railway signal, and gas-lit green and red lights, all operated by a policeman.
The world’s first traffic lights were installed in 1868, outside London’s Houses of Parliament. Invented by railway engineer J.P. Knight, they had semaphore arms, much like a railway signal, and gas-lit green and red lights, all operated by a policeman.
They were successful in directing the heavy horse carriage traffic in the area, but exploded a month after installation, due to a gas leak. However, the effectiveness of the invention was clear, and semaphore lights spread to the US and elsewhere, paving the way for electric traffic lights.
EvolvAD’s self-driving system can tap into local CCTV, as well as onboard cameras. Nissan
evolvAD
More than 150 years after introducing the first form of traffic control, the UK is pioneering new advances in autonomous vehicles.
A program called evolvAD, funded by the UK Government and led by Japanese carmaker Nissan, is currently underway to test self-driving cars on residential and country roads, where the combination of winding routes and few road markings is a particular challenge for autonomous vehicles.
The trial, conducted using all-electric Nissan Leaf cars, uses not only onboard cameras and sensors, but taps into local CCTV to be able to improve situational awareness. Since July 2023, evolvAD has clocked up 16,000 miles (25,750 kilometers) on UK roads without accidents, and the data gathered will be put to use when Nissan launches its first autonomous mobility service on Japanese roads in 2027.
