Funding for a new training centre to make robots safer and more trustworthy has been announced for the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics.
The new UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Dependable and Deployable Artificial Intelligence for Robotics – shortened to CDT-D2AIR (pronounced ‘dare’) – will train new PhD students in verification and certification systems for robotics and AI.
The aim of the centre, delivered in partnership by experts from Heriot-Watt University and The University of Edinburgh, is to ensure that robotics applications in the home and in industry – such as AI assistants to help with independent living or robotic machinery in manufacturing and construction – can interact safely with the environment and users. Postgraduate students in the CDT will be given access to high-spec lab space, robotics equipment and expertise at the National Robotarium as part of their studentship.
The centre is being awarded a share of £117 million funding by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – the UK’s national funding agency for investing in science and research – as one of 12 new Centres for Doctoral Training announced by the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in the week of the AI Safety Summit 2023.
The successful submission, driven by former National Robotarium academic co-lead Professor Helen Hastie, highlighted the opportunity and need for students to be able to build skills and understanding around AI, verification, design and robotics, ensuring the UK is equipped with the knowledge to develop AI-driven robotic technologies that are trustworthy, dependable and ethical for end users and industry. The centre builds on work already being undertaken by the UKRI TAS (Trustworthy Autonomous Systems) Node in Trust, which Professor Hastie and others at Heriot-Watt are involved in.
Professor Ron Petrick, a Professor of Computer Science at Heriot-Watt University and a world-leading researcher in automated planning and robotics, is Director of the new D2AIR Centre for Doctoral Training.
He said: “There is a clear need for robotics and AI systems be certifiable, reliable and capable of interacting safely with people and the environment. While AI methods are being increasingly used in robotics, much of this technology was not originally designed with safety and other important human-centred requirements in mind. Making AI truly applicable to, and deployable in, robotic solutions will require advanced sets of skills and a new way of thinking.”
Professor Petrick said examples such as generative AI assistants – embodied as robots or speakers – that are deployed in the home to help with independent living, had to converse and collaborate safely. Robots that can sense and interact in their environment for manufacturing and construction also had to work in challenging and extreme environments.
“Crucially, in all of these cases, the safety of autonomous systems is key to their deployability, especially when they need to operate around people,” he added.
Professor Petrick said D2AIR would build a new talent pipeline of graduates who can think in new ways around researching, designing, building and deploying dependable and safe robotics solutions.
“This pipeline will increase productivity, catapulting the UK as a world-leader in trustworthy robotics and AI technologies,” Professor Petrick said.
UKRI said £117 million funding in total had been awarded to 12 Centres for Doctoral Training in Artificial Intelligence based at 16 universities. The investment will continue to ensure that the UK has the skills needed to seize the potential of the AI era, and to nurture the British tech talent that will push the AI revolution forwards, UKRI said.
Michelle Donelan, UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “The UK is at the very front of the global race to turn AI’s awesome potential into a giant leap forward for people’s quality of life and productivity at work, all while ensuring this technology works safely, ethically and responsibly.
“The plans we are announcing today will future-proof our nation’s skills base, meaning we can reap the benefits of AI as it continues to develop. At the same time, we are taking the first steps to put the power of this technology to work, for good, across Government and society.”
UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said: “The UK is in a strong position to harness the power of AI to transform many aspects of our lives for the better. Crucial to this endeavour is nurturing the talented people and teams we need to apply AI to a broad spectrum of challenges, from healthy aging to sustainable agriculture, ensuring its responsible and trustworthy adoption. UKRI is investing £117 million in Centres for Doctoral Training to develop the talented researchers and innovators we need for success.”
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC0223-copy-scaled.jpg17072560Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-11-02 12:32:122023-11-02 12:46:02New training centre created to make robots safer and more trustworthy
To mark National Engineering Day 2023 on 1 November, we have been chatting to some of our Robotics Engineers about their role, the skills involved, and how innovative and sustainable engineering can improve people’s lives.
Lizzie Pendleton
What is a typical day like as a Robotics engineer?
Good question! I’ve been at The National Robotarium for about six weeks so my days have been quite variable so far. More recently, I’ve started to learn about the robots at The National Robotarium: what they are, how to operate them, and how to demonstrate them at events. I have some projects now involving setting up new robots and coming up with new uses for them – which is perfect for me because when someone asks, “what do you want to do in robotics?” I always say “play with robots!” I’m really excited to get stuck into my projects, start to get things working, and learn a lot!
What skills are required to be a good engineer?
The biggest thing we do as engineers is solve problems. Problem solving gives you the opportunity to be really creative, and this is the bit I really enjoy. Inspiration can come from anywhere so it’s about learning to take your different experiences and creatively feed them into how you come up with solutions. The most important thing is to keep trying. When a prototype fails for the 44th time, it’s about finding the motivation to come back in tomorrow, change something, and try again. When you find the thing that you’re really passionate about, having the motivation to keep going becomes easier because you know that at the end, you’re always going to end up with something brilliant and fascinating. Even if your prototype still doesn’t work.
How does engineering improve people’s lives?
Engineering can be seen everywhere. It improves travel infrastructure, brings new healthcare treatments, assists people who have difficulties with daily tasks, and removes humans from some workflows, to name a few examples. The National Robotarium creates robots that remove people from dangerous places or dirty tasks, for example by building robots to inspect offshore wind turbines so humans don’t have to go and do it.
But it can be easy to forget that the serious field of engineering brings people fun and enjoyment. Improvements in film special effects comes from software engineers who built better rendering software, more sport can be watched live because of improvements in online streaming, and suitcases have been made lighter so they’re easier to carry on holiday. There are engineered systems all around us that have been designed to make our lives better in one way or another.
How can engineering help us live and/or work more sustainably?
Engineers across all sectors are coming up with new solutions to improve sustainability. For example, large-scale changes are happening in the energy sector to connect more green or renewable electricity sources and replace the natural gas in the UK’s gas grid with cleaner hydrogen gas. This goes with improving public transport infrastructure and making transport greener in general to reduce carbon emissions. New, more sustainable materials are being developed that last longer, produce less waste and can be recycled more easily. For example, manufacturers are replacing some plastic packaging with sustainable paper- or card-based alternatives. These kinds of changes involve engineers at all stages and they help to make it easier for all of us to live more sustainably.
Dr Jhielson Montino Pimental
What is a typical day like as a Robotics Engineer?
The day is full of opportunities for engineers to engage with cutting-edge technologies across various sectors of the industry. Here, we can delve into projects involving unique robots or even craft our own autonomous systems. While the challenges may be demanding at times, we consistently conquer them through collaborative efforts with our colleagues.
What skills are required to be a good engineer?
Through my PhD programme and past and present work experiences, I’ve acquired the ability to approach robotics problems from a unique perspective. A proficient robotics engineer must be prepared to tackle demanding tasks, as novelty is a frequent occurrence. This entails the engineer’s capacity to delve into existing literature for potential solutions and demonstrate resilience. Moreover, given the breadth of the field, collaboration with colleagues is essential to rapidly identify the most optimal solutions.
How does engineering improve people’s lives?
Engineers play a pivotal role in reshaping and enhancing people’s lives. Robotics engineers, in particular, exert a profound influence on the industry. Their impact extends across various domains, from healthcare, where they revolutionise the care provided to the elderly in hospitals and nursing homes, to the manufacturing sector, where they eliminate human involvement in high-risk activities, thus reducing the potential for fatalities and injuries. This broad spectrum of influence underscores the transformative power of robotics engineers in our world today.
How can engineering help us live and/or work more sustainably?
The integration of robots into farming practices is a compelling illustration of how we can enhance our lives while fostering sustainability. This innovative approach not only benefits agriculture but also contributes to broader ecological and societal well-being. Robots in agriculture have the potential to revolutionise the way we produce food. They can monitor crops, apply fertilisers and pesticides precisely, and manage irrigation systems, thereby optimising resource utilisation and reducing environmental impact. This sustainable farming approach mitigates soil erosion, conserves water, and minimises the need for harmful chemicals, ultimately promoting healthier ecosystems. In essence, the introduction of robots into agriculture not only offers a pathway to more sustainable farming practices but also holds the promise of improving food security, ecological health, and the overall quality of our lives.
Coena Das
What is typical day like as a Robotics Engineer?
The specific tasks and activities can vary widely based on the project and type of robotics being developed. Additionally, some days may involve more hands-on work with hardware, while others may focus on software development or research.
What skills are required to be a good engineer?
To be a good engineer, a combination of technical, soft, and problem-solving skills is needed. These skills will not only help one excel in their role but also contribute to the professional development and career success. Continuous learning and staying up to date with the latest advancements in their area of expertise is also essential for a successful engineering career.
How does engineering improve people’s lives?
Engineering is a driving force behind many of the technological and infrastructural advancements that have significantly improved the quality of life for people around the world. It addresses both the basic needs of society and the complex challenges of our time, contributing to a safer, healthier, and more connected world.
How can engineering help us live and/or work more sustainably?
Engineering efforts are critical in addressing the growing challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation. By creating innovative, sustainable solutions, engineering helps society reduce its ecological footprint and ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come.
Ronnie Smith
What is typical day like as a Robotics Engineer?
What you spend most of your time on day to day depends on your own role within the team. Some engineers can spend most of their day at a computer doing design or programming, while others might do largely hands on work building, extending, debugging, and maintaining robots. Since we tend to work on multiple projects at once, most days start by figuring out what to prioritise. For me, a typical day might involve some proposal writing, development work, project team meetings, and monitoring/debugging some of the robots we are testing as part of ongoing projects.
What skills are required to be a good engineer?
Since robotics is such an inter-disciplinary field, I think there is no fixed set of skills to be a robotics engineer. I think a good robotics isn’t necessarily someone who is an expert in all aspects of robotics, but rather someone who has their own strengths in a few core areas and who is interested in learning about the whole robotic system to the point where they can understand how everything fits together. This applies to myself, as I come from mainly a software background, but am keen to use my time at the National Robotarium to learn and become a more “rounded” robotics engineer.
How does engineering improve people’s lives?
Most of the time, when engineers are working on a problem it is in the name of improving our comfort, efficiency, safety, or our general quality of life. Robotics is a field which has the potential to touch on all of these aspects. In my previous role as a PhD student, we worked on assistive robotics and technology for older adults. Through user engagement we worked to understand the ways in which collaborative robotics can enable individuals to live in their own home for longer by automating aspects of daily tasks that might otherwise be impossible to complete alone.
How can engineering help us live and/or work more sustainably?
One of the main ways that robots can aid with sustainability is by being more efficient than the solutions that came before. What is meant by efficiency will of course differ across domains, but for example in manufacturing this might mean process efficiency which increases hourly output for the same or less energy. On the other hand, in agriculture it could be that increased precision in turn leads to increased efficiency, e.g., more accurate and targeted spraying of crops conserves resources.
Hsing-Yu Chen
What is typical day like as a Robotics Engineer?
A typical day for a robotics engineer begins with problem-solving, addressing challenges and issues related to the robots they are developing. This entails brainstorming innovative solutions to optimize robot performance, troubleshooting both hardware and software components, conducting experiments to validate the robots’ functionality, and delving into data analysis. Given the collaborative nature of their work, engineers often engage in ongoing communication with team members and clients.
What skills are required to be a good engineer?
Beyond technical proficiency, being a good engineer relies on essential problem-solving and critical thinking skills, enabling the identification and resolution of intricate engineering challenges. Equally critical is a commitment to continuous learning and stay attuned with this rapidly evolving field, ensuring that engineers can adapt to new technologies and innovate effectively.
How does engineering improve people’s lives?
Robotics engineering plays a pivotal role in enhancing people’s lives in numerous ways. For instance, the creation of surgical robots and prosthetic limbs improves the quality of medical treatments and enhances the lives of patients. Autonomous vehicles not only increase transportation efficiency but also enhance road safety. Assistive robots simplify daily tasks, making life more convenient and accessible for individuals. These advancements underscore the transformative impact of robotics engineering on our daily existence and overall well-being.
How can engineering help us live and/or work more sustainably?
Robotic engineering offers substantial potential to enhance sustainable living and working in various domains. This can be achieved by automating industrial processes to boost efficiency, optimising resource utilisation to reduce consumption and lower carbon emissions, improving recycling rates through precise sorting, and monitoring environmental changes. These technologies have the potential to create a more environmentally friendly and resilient world.
Since opening its doors in September 2022, the National Robotarium has earned a world-class reputation in advancing research in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).
More than a dozen companies developing unique solutions to global challenges across society and industry have benefitted from the National Robotarium’s state-of-the-art facilities, expert engineering advice, and industry collaboration, with its tenant companies tackling issues facing the agriculture, health and social care and energy industries.
Developing talent is a key goal for the National Robotarium and under the leadership of Stewart Miller, the team has significantly expanded, with 50 new jobs created in the first year in engineering, public engagement, professional services, business development and research.
The National Robotarium launch event at Heriot-Watt University on 28 September 2022
Engaging with the next generation of robotics and AI engineers is a key goal. More than 10,000 young people, many of them from disadvantaged backgrounds, have been involved with the National Robotarium since its inception, and their dedicated outreach and engagement team have delivered over 50 in-person and online events over the past 12 months. These events have been staged with the support of a host of industry and educational partners including the Glasgow Science Centre and social enterprise group, Datakirk.
Home to world-class laboratory and industry facilities, the National Robotarium supports research and development in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS), Human and Robotics Interaction (HRI) and Precision Laser Applications.
The Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Lab
Among its tenants is TouchLab, which has developed a first-of-its-kind robot equipped with e-skin, the most advanced electronic skin ever developed to transfer a sense of touch from its robotic hand to clinicians, giving them the ability to ‘feel’ their patients remotely.
In agritech, Crover has built a prototype of a unique robot which ‘swims’ through grain bulks, monitoring environmental conditions to ensure crops are stored more efficiently.
Finally, Bioliberty have developed the LifeGlov, a soft robotic glove that can be used to restore upper limb mobility in stroke patients. The company has received £2.2 million in new funding for further development.
High profile research projects include UNITE, which is developing electric remotely operated vehicles (eROVs) to perform maintenance tasks on offshore wind turbines with the aim of drastically improving health and safety for offshore employees working in dangerous and inhospitable environments.
The FEATHER project, a collaboration with researchers from the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, is developing artificial intelligence and socially assistive robots to detect urinary tract infections (UTIs). Meanwhile, the National Robotarium is working closely with the university’s Lyell Centre on a prototype called Smartrawl, which is developing a revolutionary AI-empowered fishing net device that helps fishing trawlers prevent bycatch.
Fostering relationships with researchers and industry around the world is part of the National Robotarium’s mission and global coverage of its work in the media has played an essential role. Research stories and industry partnership announcements in the last 12 months have been covered by media from the USA to Asia, Saudi Arabia to South Africa.
The facility, a partnership between Heriot-Watt University and Edinburgh University, is part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative. It is supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4 million from the Scottish Government through the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal – a 15-year investment programme jointly funded by both governments and regional partners.
The National Robotarium was also lauded as the ‘gold standard’ in a Scottish Parliament debate on the future of robotics technology in Scotland and the UK. A debate received cross-party support, with ministers in agreement that the UK would greatly benefit by prioritising growing its robotics skills, technology, and manufacturing capabilities.
Is it Spot or is it cake?
At the National Robotarium’s 1st birthday party in September 2023.
Stewart Miller, CEO of the National Robotarium, said: “The team at the National Robotarium has delivered an exceptional first year for the facility and our partners, helping to develop solutions which are going to make us all safer, healthier, and more productive. We’ve been building strong relationships with industry and engaging with schools and organisations to open young minds to a future where robotics and AI systems will be central to our lives.
“With the combined robotic and AI experience of Heriot-Watt and the University of Edinburgh, the National Robotarium is paving the way for the UK to take a globally significant role at the forefront of developments in AI and machine learning technology but this is only the beginning as we work to accelerate our impact on the world stage.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, said:
“The first anniversary of the National Robotarium is a welcome opportunity to celebrate the incredible work and pioneering research carried out over the last year. From robots to help farmers and fishermen to those helping improve patient care, they are delivering vital solutions to real-world issues through their AI and robotic technology.
“The UK Government is investing £21 million in the National Robotarium as part of the £300 million Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.”
Colin Cook, Director of Economic Development, Scottish Government, said:
“The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation sets out a long term commitment to building a green, wellbeing economy in which Scotland builds clusters of successful businesses in new markets and industries.
“As we accelerate towards net zero and a low carbon economy, Scotland has the potential to be a world leader in new high-value and innovative sectors such as Robotics & Autonomous Systems (RAS). The National Robotarium is a crucial asset because it offers access to internationally competitive innovation facilities and expertise that support Scotland’s high-value manufacturing capabilities.
“It also represents a catalyst for the Robotics industry around which to coalesce and shape the broader development of robotics research, design and manufacture in Scotland, driving economic growth and raising Scotland’s profile in the global Robotics marketplace.”
DDI’s Director, Jarmo Eskelinen, said:
“The National Robotarium is a vital part of the wider DDI platform – six innovation hubs across the City Region. One year after opening, the companies, staff, and researchers at the National Robotarium are off to a great start, working to benefit society and many industry sectors.
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/timeline-mob.jpg500750Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-10-26 09:30:542023-10-26 09:28:31Making an impact on the world stage – the National Robotarium celebrates its first birthday
Heriot-Watt University has been named as one of 29 new members joining the Turing University Network. The network provides institutes that excel in data science and AI the opportunity to engage with its broader network to advance world-class research that address global challenges. Heriot-Watt is home to the National Robotarium, a £22.4m centre for robotics and AI, created to produce new and innovative technologies to overcome real-world obstacles, boosting its credentials as a leader in the UK data science and AI landscape.
The Alan Turing Institute launched the network as a pilot in April 2023, with an open call for new members announced in early summer this year. It now includes 65 members across the UK, facilitating better connections and providing access to a bespoke network that encourages collaboration across the data science and AI ecosystem. The network is a key component of The Alan Turing Institute’s strategy and supports it in delivering its three overarching goals: to advance world-class research and apply it to national and global challenges, build skills for the future, and drive an informed public conversation.
Dr Jean Innes, Chief Executive Officer of The Alan Turing Institute, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome our new members to the network. We hope that they will benefit from being part of our data science and AI group and find opportunities for new, meaningful collaborations across the data science and AI landscape.”
Oliver Lemon, Professor in Conversational AI, and academic co-lead of the National Robotarium, Heriot-Watt’s Global Research Institute for robotics and artificial intelligence, said: “We are thrilled to be accepted into the Turing University Network, a prestigious consortium of universities dedicated to advancing world-class AI research with real-world applications.
“The National Robotarium was created to develop robotics and AI solutions that make a difference in the world. By joining the Turing University Network, we will be able to collaborate with other leading institutions and build on our collective expertise to create even more ground-breaking innovations.
“This partnership is a testament to the strength of our AI research programme and our commitment to using technology to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. We are excited to work with our fellow Turing Network members to make a positive impact on the economy, industry, and society.”
The full list of universities joining the network are:
•Aston University
•University of Aberdeen
•University of Bath
•University of Bradford
•University of Dundee
•University of East Anglia
•University of Essex
•University of Greenwich
•University of Hull
•University of Lincoln
•University of Portsmouth
•University of Salford
•University of Sussex
•University of Westminster
•University of York
•Birkbeck, University of London
•Coventry University
•Edinburgh Napier University
•Heriot-Watt University
•Lancaster University
•London Business School
•Loughborough University
•Manchester Metropolitan University
•Oxford Brookes University
•Sheffield Hallam University
•Swansea University
•The Open University
•University of Leicester
•University of St Andrews
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/TATI_UniversityNetworkLogo_Black-scaled-1.jpg25472560Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-10-02 09:01:002023-10-24 12:05:34Turing University Network: A Collaboration for World-Class AI Research
The National Robotarium have joined forces with ServiceKey, a UK-based digital technology start-up.
Through the utilisation of ServiceKey’s Perpetual Innovation™ AI-empowered toolset, the National Robotarium will benefit from enhanced project solution development, reducing time and cost, and identifying otherwise hidden alternative solutions. The facility will also work with ServiceKey personnel on joint activities using the ServiceKey methodologies to enhance live projects with industry partners and customers.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Robotarium, Stewart Miller said: “This close collaboration between The National Robotarium and ServiceKey opens up a world of possibilities for the robotics and AI industry.
“By combining our research knowledge and expertise with ServiceKey’s dynamic methodologies, we have the opportunity to reshape the future and realise the true potential of these technologies.”
Chief Operating Officer, Steve Maclaren said: “This partnership with ServiceKey is a key element of our Digital Enterprise, allowing The National Robotarium to remain at the forefront of the latest technologies and methodologies across all elements of our organisation.”
The partnership will empower The National Robotarium and ServiceKey to drive innovation across a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and more.
Co-Founder of ServiceKey, Mark Conyers said: “We are proud to collaborate with the National Robotarium on such a ground-breaking endeavour, supporting them through rapid Concept Creation and Solution Design.”
ServiceKey Co-Founder Neil Bramwell said: “This partnership not only aligns with our shared vision for the future, but it also highlights our commitment to delivering solutions of unparalleled quality, fostering innovation, and driving transformative change across industries.”
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/ServiceKey-scaled-1.jpg11522560Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-09-18 10:51:382023-10-24 12:05:58The National Robotarium and ServiceKey forge transformational collaboration
Over 10,000 young minds have been inspired to consider a career in robotics, thanks to the significant public engagement activities fostered by the National Robotarium that aim to increase the representation of disadvantaged young learners.
The world-leading centre for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) has successfully hosted over 50 in-person and virtual events at its facility in Edinburgh since opening in September 2022 with a host of industry and educational partners including Glasgow Science Centre and social enterprise group Datakirk.
With the aim of broadening access to revolutionary technology, the facility’s public outreach and engagement programme is building key skills and encouraging more young people from a wider range of backgrounds to consider starting a career in robotics, data analytics, and AI.
This summer [2023] also marks the 5th anniversary of the South-East Scotland City Region Deal. The National Robotarium is part of the £1.3 billion 15-year investment programme jointly funded by the UK Government, the Scottish Government, and regional partners.
Its pioneering £22.4 million facility is the largest and most advanced of its kind in the UK and acts as an innovation hub for the practical application of robotics and autonomous systems in industry and society.
Its objectives include partnering with various organisations including charities with a mission to increase the engagement of disadvantaged learners with the technology sector to tackle digital exclusion. The National Robotarium is also collaborating with groups that aim to encourage greater gender diversity among those applying to STEM subjects at university.
Sabaht Bashir is industry and schools engagement co-lead at the National Robotarium. She said:
“Innovation and collaboration are at the heart of the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal which is helping to accelerate knowledge and cutting-edge technologies into Scotland and the UK’s economy.
“At the National Robotarium, we’re showcasing ways robots can help humans do things better, for the benefit of industry and society, and inspiring the next generation of roboticists and AI pioneers.
“The research our world-leading experts are conducting today to make our lives safer, healthier, and more productive will be the world that our young learners inherit tomorrow. It’s an incredible milestone to have engaged with so many young people from a range of diverse backgrounds since opening our doors last year. We look forward to continuing to work with schools and educators from all around the world to bring careers in robotics to life.”
Sabaht Bashir, Industry and Schools Engagement Lead
Libby Robertson, a year 6 pupil at Glasgow’s Knightswood Secondary School, said:
“The activities were fun and insightful about what robotics could do and have already done to the world we live in. The visit was so amazing that I’m now considering doing it as a future career choice.”
Gordon Cooper, Technical Teacher at Glasgow’s Knightswood Secondary School, said:
“The team at the National Robotarium were friendly and informative and our pupils had a great day enjoying the variety of experiences planned for them.
“The fully and semi-immersive reality activities were fascinating and showed our students the potential uses of these types of technology. The robotic dog was definitely the star of the day. All of our students were awakened to the possibilities on display, and many are now seriously looking into careers in this field. ”
Lauren Stalker, Curricular Leader of Computing Science & Digital Literacy at St Thomas of Aquin’s R.C High School in Edinburgh, said:
“I would highly recommend this trip for all students as seeing the robots in real life is a fantastic experience. The information shared inspired pupils to want to get into robotics and see possible career opportunities. All the students thoroughly enjoyed the virtual reality experience and getting to see a programming language they learn in school being used in that way.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, said:
“The National Robotarium is a prime example of how the City Region Deal is creating exciting opportunities, driving economic growth, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
“The UK Government is investing £21 million in the National Robotarium and more than £380m in levelling up across South East Scotland.”
Scottish Government Wellbeing Economy Secretary, Neil Gray, said:
“I congratulate the National Robotarium on its successful first year inspiring technological innovation and sharing those advances with young people to help seed the next generation of entrepreneurs. In 2021 the Scottish Government committed to supporting the development of ethical artificial intelligence as part of Scotland’s AI Strategy, which will be complemented by actions in the recently published National Innovation Strategy.
“Through the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal we are delivering a fair and sustainable wellbeing economy which aims to create even more good quality jobs.”
Jarmo Eskelinen, Executive Director of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative and South-East Scotland City Region Deal, said:
“The National Robotarium is one of six hubs at the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University offering a world-leading platform for data-driven innovation across ten industry sectors. As the DDI initiative marks its fifth anniversary, it’s fantastic to see the hubs developing as individual institutes and centres and very exciting to be working with them to explore joint opportunities in tackling societal and industry challenges.”
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0100-scaled-1.jpg17072560Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-09-11 16:14:122023-10-27 12:21:57National Robotarium hits public engagement milestone as it celebrates 1st anniversary
Innovators, healthcare experts, students and scientists converged for a special 5-day hackathon event, focused on shaping solutions for better independent living.
Sponsored by the Scottish Informatics & Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) and the EPSRC Network+ EMERGENCE, the Robotics + Care Mashup took place at the National Robotarium from 16-20 October.
Hosted by the Heriot-Watt University CARE (Cognitive Assistive Robotic Environments) Group, the event offered a unique opportunity to test and develop emerging technologies, including cloud, robotics and IoT (Internet of Things) equipped with machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities, for health and social care. Applications can include non-intrusive monitoring of health status and vital signs, detecting patterns and trends in behaviour, triaging, facilitating communication and social-connectedness, and generally supporting general self-management of health and wellbeing.
Working in teams, students in different disciplines, such as robotics, engineering, computer science, nursing, medicine, psychology and business, developed new and innovative concepts that can address challenges for healthcare providers and people who require assisted living support. Throughout the week, end-users, academics, technologists and care providers assesssed the progression of each idea and provided feedback in real-time.
The Mashup also hosted a number of talks and product development sessions from technical providers on topics including APIs and sensor kits, ethics and cybersecurity, and live robot demonstrations in the Laboratory for Robotic Assistive living (LARA)
Godfrey works with the HRI research group, located in the Laboratory for Assistive Living (LARA), a unique test lab for developing assistive robots
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
Toyota Human Support Robot (HSR)
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
EMERGENCE Robotics + Care Mashup, 16-20 Oct 2023
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/NR-stills-76.png10552000Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-09-07 14:01:542024-04-08 16:08:13Robotics + Care Mashup event to improve independent living
Dr Ingo Keller has been appointed as the first Head of Robotics at the National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
A software, AI and robotics engineer with over 20 years of experience in science and industry, Ingo will lead the facility’s growing team of robotics engineers as they test and develop new technologies and systems to address real-world challenges. Current projects include robotics for sectors including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, aerospace and fisheries.
Ingo has in-depth, hands-on experience with a multitude of robotic systems, including all phases of software development, life-cycle management and DevOps tooling. He has co-founded a number of start-up technology companies in software architecture and database management systems, developing a keen understanding of the potential of applied emerging technologies for addressing industry challenges.
Prior to his new role, he was Chief Technology Officer at Xihelm, a London-based robotic harvesting solutions company, where he worked while completing a PhD in Data Augmentation for Human-Robot Interaction at Heriot-Watt University, where the National Robotarium is based.
On his new appointment, Ingo said: “I’m delighted to join the National Robotarium team at this exciting stage of its development and lead on the creation of robotics, AI and engineering systems that can truly transform people’s lives and work. My goal is to get more robots out of the lab and into the wild, and being able to talk directly to industry leaders about their challenges means we can develop safe, practical, and effective robotic technologies that can be seamlessly integrated into society.
“I’m also passionate about sharing the knowledge and expertise of our talented team to build robotics skills in different sectors, ensuring people are equipped with the tools they need to operate and manage robotics and AI, and promoting the positive benefits of these technologies to all.”
Stewart Miller, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The appointment of Ingo as our first Head of Robotics is an important and exciting milestone for the National Robotarium. He is passionate about applying his extensive expertise to new and interdisciplinary problem spaces and will be a great ambassador, working with experts in all fields of science and industry to advance state-of-the-art robotics systems.”
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/WebsitePic-400x400-1.png400400Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-08-29 09:50:122023-10-24 12:06:29The National Robotarium appoints first Head of Robotics
Professor Lemon, whose background is focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), brings many years of experience developing machine learning and Natural Language Processing (NLP) models, building knowledge to better understand how robots can interact with humans using conversational speech in visual and spatial use-cases. Current projects being led by Professor Lemon include SPRING, based at the facility’s state-of-the-art HRI labs, which is developing Socially Assistive Robotics to perform multi-person interactions in complex environments, specifically with older patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings.
A former Senior Research Fellow at Stanford University and the University of Edinburgh, and Visiting Scientist at NASA, Professor Lemon has extensive experience working with industry. He has led national and international research projects with partners such as PAL Robotics, SoftBank, France Telecom, and BMW, and is Chief AI Officer and co-founder of the conversational AI company Alana AI. The spinout has recently developed advanced vision-and-language conversational AI solutions for blind and partially-sighted people in partnership with RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind) and for stroke patients, as part of the European Commission’s RES-Q+ medical AI project.
Professor Lemon has also supervised three student teams in the Amazon Alexa Simbot Challenge, an artificial intelligence competition focused on conversational agents. In the latest challenge, on embodied AI, the team were the only non-US competitors to be shortlisted in the top ten, and made it all the way through to the final stages.
His appointment follows the departure of Professor Helen Hastie, who has held the position – alongside incumbent Professor Yvan Petillot – since 2020, overseeing the research strategy of the world-leading Robotics and Artificial Intelligence centre, based at Heriot-Watt University. Working closely with co-academic leads at the University of Edinburgh, Professors Adam Stokes and Sethu Vijayakumar, these important roles were created to strengthen academic collaboration between the two partner institutions. The ties between organisations will be further strengthened when Professor Hastie takes up a new post as Head of the School of Informatics at The University of Edinburgh.
Professor Lemon said: “I’m delighted to join the National Robotarium as its new co-academic lead and continue its work developing science-led robotics and AI solutions to address people’s needs.
”As a co-founder of Alana AI, I understand how to bridge the gap between science and industry and move academic research from labs to market, a core delivery theme at the National Robotarium. I look forward to playing a strategic role supporting its mission to advance the adoption of robotics and AI to help people at work and at home. I’m particularly excited to bring the latest advances in Foundation Models and Large Language Models such as ChatGPT into robotics.”
Stewart Miller, Chief Executive Officer at the National Robotarium said: “I’m very pleased to welcome Oliver to the National Robotarium as our new co-academic lead. His extensive experience into language models for robotics, as well as his many years of research into how humans interact with robots, make him a natural successor to Professor Hastie and I’m keen to work with him to develop the next generation of robotics using safe and responsible AI.”
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/MicrosoftTeams-image-30-scaled-1.jpg25602388Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-07-14 10:12:012023-10-24 12:06:36Professor Oliver Lemon named as new co-academic lead at the National Robotarium
An underwater robotic sorting device which helps fishing trawlers prevent bycatch by identifying and sizing fish and other marine life in real-time is being developed by Heriot-Watt University scientists with support from experts in the National Robotarium’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) laboratory.
Funded by the UK Seafood Innovation Fund and delivered in partnership with Fisheries Innovation & Sustainability (FIS), Smartrawl uses AI-technology to determine the individual size and species of marine life captured inside a trawl net using images taken by an underwater stereo camera. It then releases or retains each marine animal depending on whether it qualifies against a trawler’s intended catch using a computer-controlled robotic gate.
Trawling is a fishing practice that herds and captures target species, like fish or prawns, by towing a net along the ocean floor. This method of fishing is known to cause discarding and bycatch, where fish or other marine animals are accidentally caught and returned to the sea, most often dead. According to global marine fisheries data, it is estimated that 46% of all marine fish that are discarded come from this method of fishing.
The brainchild of Professor Paul Fernandes based at Heriot-Watt’s Lyell Centre for Earth and Marine Sciences, the Smartrawl sorting device is being supported by experts in underwater autonomous systems at the National Robotarium and designed in collaboration with the UK fishing industry. It is able to fit into existing nets of all sizes of vessels and requires no additional cables due to the device’s patented gate system which works with the force of the water to rotate between open and closed states.
“Smartrawl has been developed to ensure that vessels only catch the fish they’re targeting, releasing other animals back into their natural environment quickly and without harm. As a result, we’re confident that discarding and bycatch could quickly become a thing of the past and our precious marine life preserved.”
Components of the project have already been tested at sea and further trials are scheduled for later this year [2023] in Shetland using the research vessel Atlantia, operated by the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Administered by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), on behalf of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the UK Seafood Innovation Fund supports innovative projects which aim to bring new ideas and technology to the UK seafood sector and is part of the wider UK Seafood Fund.
Paul Fernandes (pictured above), the inventor of Smartrawl, is scientific lead for the project. He is a professor of fisheries science and technology at the Lyell Centre at Heriot-Watt University. He said:
“More than 4 million tonnes of marine fish are unintentionally caught by trawlers around the world every year, as well as bycatch of sharks, rays, dolphins, critically endangered turtles and seabirds. The sad reality is that these creatures, more often than not, are returned to the sea dead or dying.
“Current methods used on trawlers are unable to distinguish between different species and animals or give skippers enough information to build an accurate understanding of the size of individual fish prior to capture.
“Smartrawl has been developed to ensure that vessels only catch the fish they’re targeting, releasing other animals back into their natural environment quickly and without harm. As a result, we’re confident that discarding and bycatch could quickly become a thing of the past and our precious marine life preserved.”
FIS Executive Director, Kara Brydson, said:
“The UK Seafood Innovation Fund supports bold and ambitious tech-driven projects that will enable a step-change in the productivity and sustainability of the UK seafood sector. That perfectly describes Smartrawl, and this grant will take us nearer to our goal of enabling UK fishers to select and retain their high-quality catch while releasing non-target species back into our seas.”
https://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/AI-empowered-fishing-net-being-loaded-onto-trawler-scaled-1.jpg19202560Louise Jackhttp://thenationalrobotarium.com/wp-content/uploads/Robotarium.pngLouise Jack2023-06-28 09:16:522023-10-26 14:32:36AI-empowered fishing net to help prevent marine bycatch
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