April 2021

n NEWS April 2021 www.drivesncontrols.com 6 Work starts on robotics research centres in Edinburgh and Salford CONSTRUCTION HAS started on a “world-leading” research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence in Edinburgh that will be the largest and most advanced of its type in the UK. Based at Heriot-Watt University, the National Robotarium is being supported by £21m from the UK Government, and £1.4m from the Scottish Government. Expected to open in Spring 2022, it will bring together academics and global companies, with the aim of answering global challenges through research, early-stage product development and industry collaboration. It is also intended to act as a catalyst for robotics entrepreneurs. Key areas of research application will include INVESTMENT FUNDS set up by the actor Robert Downey Jr andMicrosoft founder Bill Gates and are among the latest investors in the Californianmotor developer Turntide Technologies, which is producing a new generation of switched reluctancemotors. The company has recently completed an $80m funding round, bringing its total funding to date to $180m. Turntide (previously known as the Software Motor Company) has developed and patented a cloud-connected SRM (switched reluctance motor) that, it says, uses a fraction of the energy of traditional AC induction motors. It adds that its motors cost less to own and operate than conventional alternatives, and do not need costly rare-earth magnets. The latest investment round was led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a backer of clean technologies founded by Gates, and included Downey’s recently established FootPrint CoalitionVentures, as well as the Amazon Climate Pledge Fund. Turntide plans to use the new funding to expand production of its Smart Motor System to meet growing demand, and to extend the technology to new applications. Chairman and CEO Ryan Morris says that the investment will also help to ramp up retrofitting of its motors. The funding will also be used to develop and deploy Riptide, a cloud-based building automation software platform that Turntide bought recently. Riptide works with existing building equipment to automate building management, enhance comfort and cut energy consumption and downtime. Although switched reluctance motor technology dates back to the nineteenth century, until now it has been used mainly in applications where reliability is essential. Turntide is harnessing recent advances in sensor and software technologies to deliver the precise amount of power needed, thus cutting energy consumption. The motors are managed using cloud software and are connected to controls via the IoT. The result is a new generation of high- efficiency SRMs that Turntide believes will have a much wider range of potential applications. Initially, it is producing the motors in ratings up to 15hp (11.2kW) and targeting building services applications such as pumps and fans. Turntide says that when the motors are combined with IoT-based building automation technologies, they can optimise energy efficiency. Initial customers that have retrofitted the motors in HVAC installations include Amazon, BMW and Five Guys. Turntide says they have achieved average reductions in energy consumption of 64%. Downey and Gates join $80m investment in switched reluctance motor developer manufacturing, human-robot interaction, hazardous environments, offshore energy, construction, healthcare and agricultural technology. Professors Helen Hastie andYvan Petillot will be the joint academic leads.“The National Robotariumwill form a centre of excellence for fundamental research and knowledge exchange to address real-world challenges and industry needs,”says Hastie. Professor Petillot adds:“The cutting-edge resources provided by the new facility, combined with the expertise of our researchers, will put us in a highly competitive position to elevate the UK onto the global stage in robotics and AI technologies.” The Robotarium is a collaboration between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh. Work has also begun on the North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (Neric) at the University of Salford. The centre, due to open next year, has received £3.6m of funding from Research England, in addition to funding from the European Regional Development Fund. Neric, part of a £2.5bn plan to regenerate Salford and its region, will provide SMEs with a hub where they can access academics, work collaboratively, and test and validate technologies before deploying them. Dr Georgina Harris, director of engineering at the University of Salford says the latest funding will help the centre to recruit robotics specialists, invest in facilities, and play“a pivotal role in the technology transfer from innovative research to industrial deployment”. www.hw.ac.uk/uk/research/the-national- robotarium www.salford.ac.uk/north-england- robotics-innovation-centre An artist’s impression of the National Robotarium, which is due to open in Edinburgh next year