Introduction

Robotics is currently a hot research topic around the globe with many new applications emerging every month. The UK has much world class research and a high proportion of companies working in service and advanced robotics. However, in terms of visibility, UK Robotics does not get the profile either in the media, academia or commercial circles as some other countries. 

Is this simply that the UK does not have the overall funding levels of countries like the USA or Korea? Or could it be that the UK does not have the centrally organised research programmes of Germany or Japan?

This event brings together many of the bodies and sectors currently funding robotics research in the UK to present their objectives and priorities and to discuss current work ongoing in the UK, including research being funded by the European Commission. 

These high level speakers (responsible for setting the strategy and direction of robotics research in the UK) will uniquely be sharing the platform to enable the widest view possible of the spread of activities in the UK and also to start a discussion about the potential for UK robotics within the world context as well as areas of overlap, differences and gaps in the UK robotics scene. 

Additionally, speakers will also provide a view of the approach to robotics research in Sweden and Italy to contrast with the approach being taken in the UK.

Featured topics

• Robotics research funding - EU priorities and future directions
• Funding opportunities for robotics research
• The UK technology strategies for ICT and electronics, photonics and electrical systems
• The Centre for Food Robotics and Automation initiative by the Yorkshire Forward region
• Robotic requirements for the future space programme

Key benefits

• A concise way to update your knowledge about the current programmes hot topics and future directions in robotics
• Connect directly with representatives from the bodies that set the funding strategy
• A key opportunity share ideas and experiences with those from both research and industrial backgrounds

Who should attend?

This event will be of high interest to researchers in robotics, those wishing to prepare proposals for funding and industrial companies looking to seek synergies with the public funded research directions in this sector.