HMGCC CO-Creation Challenge: Imaging hidden objects in walls

Could your technology help reveal hidden objects concealed in walls, ceilings and floors?  

This is the focus of the latest funded challenge launched by HMGCC Co-Creation, which is seeking imaging technologies able to prevent unwanted surveillance.  

The tech solution should be able to uncover covert devices in the periphery of rooms, but without damaging walls.  

The team is particularly interested in non-ionising radiation imaging techniques, such as portable terahertz or millimetre-wave systems. Successful solutions should aim to achieve a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 demonstrator within 12 weeks.  

HMGCC Co-Creation will provide funding for time, materials, overheads and other indirect expenses for successful applicants. 

• Technology themes  
  • Antennas 
  • Applied research 
  • Data science and engineering, 
  • Electronic engineering 
  • Electro-optic Non-destructive testing,  
  • Quantum technologies 
  • Radio frequency science and engineering 
  • Software development 
  • Key challenge information:  
    

    Total budget (ex VAT), up to	£60,000
    Project duration	12 weeks
    Competition opens	Monday 10 August 2026
    Competition closes	Thursday 17 September 2026

    Technology themes  

    • Antennas 
    • Applied research 
    • Data science and engineering, 
    • Electronic engineering 
    • Electro-optic Non-destructive testing,  
    • Quantum technologies 
    • Radio frequency science and engineering 

Context of the challenge  

Protecting sensitive locations from surveillance is an important national security requirement. Security professionals use a range of techniques to identify hidden devices that could be used to capture conversations, images or communications.  

One method is to inspect walls, ceilings and floors for hidden equipment without damaging the building. Existing approaches, such as x-ray imaging, can be effective but are often large, heavy and require additional safety controls due to their use of ionising radiation.  

This challenge seeks alternative approaches that can provide useful imaging capability whilst being more portable and easier to deploy. 

Existing non-destructive imaging techniques each have limitations.  

X-ray systems can provide detailed images through many materials but are often bulky and require additional safety measures.  

Terahertz and millimetre-wave technologies use non-ionising radiation and have demonstrated success in applications such as airport security screening. However, current systems often face challenges including limited penetration depth, reduced performance in some environmental conditions, and difficulties achieving both portability and high image quality.  

There remains a need for a portable imaging system that can provide useful images within walls, ceilings and floors whilst remaining practical for operational use. 

Project scope  

This challenge seeks a minimum Technology Readiness Level 5 – technology basic validation in a relevant environment.  

Essential requirements:  

• Must be developed to a weight of less than 20 kg and less than 0.3 cubic metres.  

• Must come with a display and a user interface suitable for a technical user.  

• Must be able to produce images from penetrating a standard plasterboard wall.  

• Imager must use non-ionising radiation.  

• Must work from a single-phase power supply or battery.  

• Work towards a device that can be transported on a commercial flight.  

Desirable requirements:  

• Work towards a weight of less than 10 Kg.  

• Should produce images from penetrating tens of centimetres through a standard plasterboard or wooden walls.  

• A stretch target is proof of concept of penetration through a few centimetres of concrete.  

• Imaging process should not require access to both sides of a wall.  

Constraints:  

• The end use case would be within a small to medium sized room.  

Not required:  

• A standalone horizon scan.  
• A paper report on its own, there must be some prototyping element to this project. 

Eligibility  

This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.  

Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes, are not eligible for HMGCC Co-Creation challenges. 

How to apply  

Please submit your application on the HMGCC Co-Creation website. Any queries please email co-creation@dstl.gov.uk and cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk.  

All information you provide to us as part of your application will be handled in confidence.