The National Robotarium, one of Heriot-Watt University‘s Global Research Institutes, launched an ambitious manifesto at an exclusive event at the Houses of Parliament.
‘Reaping the Rewards of the Robotics Revolution: Making the UK an active player in the future global economy’ sets out a five-point plan for establishing the UK as a world-leader in robotics, including creating a Robotics UK agency to develop a national strategy, and investing in a UK-wide network of robotics centres inspired by the National Robotarium, based at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.
The policy document highlights the success of the National Robotarium model in driving increased productivity, efficiency and skills development through robotics, and outlines how it can be used as a blueprint to put the UK at the heart of the global robotics revolution, estimated to be worth $283.19 billion (£221.10bn) by 2032.
“It is inevitable that robots will play a transformational role in the future of the world’s economy and society, and the UK needs to be on the front foot to embrace this change,” Stewart Miller, chief executive of The National Robotarium said.
Sponsored by Heriot-Watt’s local MP Joanna Cherry, the event held at Parliament brought together key stakeholders from science, industry and policy to hear talks from Heriot-Watt principal and vice-chancellor professor Richard Williams, National Robotarium chief executive, Stewart Miller, and an impressive roster of robotics start-ups – Touchlab Ltd, Crover, and BioLiberty – that are utilising the facility’s business acceleration and incubation support.
“Like much of the work at Heriot-Watt University, it plays an important role in providing a place where academic research meets industry to find practical robotic applications to the world’s biggest challenges,” Heriot-Watt local MP Joanna Cherry, who sponsored the even in Parliament, said.
Stewart Miller said: “It is inevitable that robots will play a transformational role in the future of the world’s economy and society, and the UK needs to be on the front foot to embrace this change.
“By getting to showcase the ongoing success of the National Robotarium – which has already accomplished so much in its first 18 months – and speak directly to policymakers within the walls of Parliament, I am hopeful that decision makers will recognise this opportunity and adopt our ambitious plans that seek to move the UK from passive consumer to active player in the robotics market.
“But to be a benefactor of this multi-billion-dollar industry, we must act now.”
Source: DIGIT