NEWS 10 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS March 2026 www.hpmag.co.uk New MTC whitepaper sets out blueprint to boost UK robotics adoption and economic growth The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has released a major new whitepaper outlining how the UK can accelerate the adoption of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) to unlock measurable economic and industrial benefits and strengthen the UK’s productivity. The report sets out a clear pathway to align regional priorities, speed up technology adoption across key sectors, grow a strong base of RAS businesses to boost investor confidence, and lay the groundwork for a coordinated national action plan. The whitepaper, titled ‘Global Robotics Clusters Study: A Blueprint to Accelerate the UK Adoption of Robotics & Autonomous Systems,’ examines how regions including Denmark, Germany, Singapore, Boston and Pittsburgh have built high-impact robotics clusters. These international examples show how long-term policy alignment, strong regional ecosystems and clear industry adoption accelerate proven technologies and deliver sustained economic benefits through higher productivity and more efficient industrial performance. The report contrasts this success with current UK challenges, highlighting persistent barriers that slow the transition from research to widespread industrial use. These include a lower number of robots in operation, slower uptake among SMEs, fragmented support and short funding cycles. By setting these issues against global best practice, the report identifies where UK efforts diverge and outlines a coordinated national and regional blueprint to close the gaps and drive faster adoption. At a national level, the blueprint calls for a UK-wide action plan to align government activity across areas such as adoption, standards and technology translation. Regionally, it recommends establishing a small number of robotics clusters that act as vendor neutral proving grounds, offering shared testbeds and early stage procurement routes to help businesses deploy mature technologies more quickly. Commenting on the whitepaper launch, Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), said: “What stands out from the most successful global clusters is that businesses thrive when the pathway to adoption is simple, proven and properly supported. Too often in the UK, companies are left to navigate fragmented advice and short term initiatives, which slows momentum and adds risk. “This blueprint is about giving businesses a clearer route: consistent support, access to trusted technology partners, and environments where solutions can be tested before committing to capital. This shift will give organisations the confidence to adopt robotics, helping to shorten adoption cycles, reduce costs and make automation a realistic step for businesses of every size while improving productivity across the UK.” To find out more or read the full whitepaper, visit https://www.the-mtc.org/insights/global-robotics-clustersstudy-blueprint-accelerate-uk-adoption-robotics-autonomous. Smart Manufacturing Week returns to Birmingham’s NEC Smart Manufacturing Week (SMW) returns to the NEC Birmingham on 3-4 June 2026. Bringing together a portfolio of events including Smart Factory Expo, Maintec, Drives & Controls and Design + Engineering Expo, Manufacturing Digitalisation Summit and The Manufacturer Top 100 Awards, SMW promises to be a focal point for innovation, insight and industry collaboration. Building on 2025, which the organiser says welcomed more than 13,500 visitors alongside 450+ exhibitors and over 200 speakers, Smart Manufacturing Week 2026 is set to be bigger and more ambitious. With increased international participation expected, the event will deliver an expanded showcase of technologies, ideas and expertise shaping the future of manufacturing. Visitor registration is now open (https://www.smartmanufacturingweek.c om). SMW 2026 will feature a strong lineup of leading global exhibitors, including Beckhoff, Solutions PT, Epicor, Ericsson, Produtech, FANUC, Sage and many more. Alongside many other major industry players, the exhibition floor will provide a comprehensive view of the technologies driving manufacturing forward. New for 2026 is Factory of the Future, a fully immersive, walk-through demonstrator bringing connected, intelligent and sustainable manufacturing to life. Visitors will be able to see live, hands-on demonstrations showcasing Industry 4.0 technologies including robotics, AI, digital twins and predictive maintenance working together to make transformation tangible and bridge the gap between ambition and implementation. Another dynamic new feature for 2026 is Fight Fest, a competitive element located within the Drives & Controls Expo. Taking place on the Accu Bots stand, this high-energy robot fighting competition is aligned with automation and robotics, a core event theme.
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