Drives & Controls October 2022

n NEWS THE UK’S LARGEST AND MOST ADVANCED r&d facility for robotics and artificial intelligence, the £22.4m National Robotarium, has opened its doors at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. The centre has also announced a collaboration with the multi- billion dollar company Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), covering joint research across disciplines including soft robotics, field robotics, cobots and tele-operations. With the UK robotics sector predicted to grow by more than 40% a year in the coming years, and to reach almost £3.5bn by 2030, the Robotarium is expected to boost the UK’s presence on the global robotics stage and to attract inward investment. It will bring together academics and companies ranging from start-ups to global businesses. The purpose-built, 40,000ft2 facility houses three r&d areas: robotics and autonomous systems; human and robotics interaction; and high-precision manufacturing. There is also an education hub aimed at attracting young people into robotics. Under the collaboration agreement with Tata Consultancy Services, TCS will work with experts from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh to find answers to global challenges using robotics and AI, product design and novel technologies. TCS, which operates in 55 countries, generates revenues of more than $25bn. “This exciting collaboration is a fitting milestone to announce during the official opening ceremony of the National Robotarium,”says the facility’s CEO, Stewart Miller.“The partnership will enable TCS and the National Robotarium to bring together our vast combined experience and expertise, elevating the robotics and artificial intelligence offering of both organisations as a result. “This announcement is the first of many for the National Robotarium as we ramp up our global collaborative activities,”he adds.“Britain has a long and rich heritage of delivering cutting-edge innovation. The opening of this state-of-the-art facility is another important milestone in that story and one which demonstrates Scotland and the UK’s role at the forefront of developments in AI and robotics.” UK’s £22m National Robotarium launches with global collaboration The £22m National Robotarium is being hailed as the UK’s most advanced robotics and AI r&d facility