Autonomous Sentinels receives €30,000 to create autonomous vehicles

The €30,000 will be used to further the company’s goal of developing and manufacturing autonomous land vehicles, “using the latest digital technologies in computer systems, radio communications and navigation sensors”, according to representatives from Autonomous Sentinels. This funding is part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), Vouchers for Startups, measure ‘Vouchers for Startups – New digital/technological products’ with funding from IAPMEI – Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation, Compete 2030 and Startup Portugal.

The startup was founded in 2025 and is currently incubated at UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto. In active collaboration with INEGI – Institute of Science and Innovation in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), it is dedicated to the development and manufacture of autonomous vehicles.

To this end, it uses advances in computer systems, radio communications, navigation sensors and additive manufacturing technologies (such as 3D printing), applying them to sectors such as Defence, Agriculture and Surveillance. One of the innovations is “airless” tyres manufactured using additive manufacturing with recyclable materials.

The newly raised funding will be used to continue installing the production unit in Ovar, purchasing additive manufacturing equipment such as “3D printers for the manufacture of airless tyres in recyclable thermoplastic polyurethane material, offering durability and reduced maintenance requirements”, they add, and also to strengthen human resources in the area of automation and software.

Currently, Autonomous Sentinels, a U.Porto spin-off, is finalising its first prototype and its representatives expect it to be completed this September. “This prototype is the result of numerous interactions with the Portuguese Navy and Army and other entities in the defence sector”, they say.

The company believes it has a ‘highly scalable’ business model and has defined a strategy for penetrating international markets by establishing distribution networks, participating in defence sector fairs and events, and developing targeted marketing actions. “Additive manufacturing is a strong differentiating factor for the company, enabling it to offer the defence market modular and configurable vehicles capable of operating in a variety of scenarios and with reduced maintenance costs, making them economically viable for a wide range of applications”, they conclude.