Scotland’s First Minister launches public services innovation plan at The National Robotarium
On 27 January, The National Robotarium hosted First Minister for Scotland, John Swinney MSP, as he delivered a speech on how The Scottish Government plans to transform the nation’s health and care system.
First Minister for Scotland, John Swinney MSP
In his speech to leading experts and clinicians from across the Scottish healthcare sector, the First Minister, introduced by CEO of The National Robotarium, Stewart Miller, and Cabinet Secretary Neil Gray MSP, highlighted the government’s commitment to improving patient care through the expansion of digital and AI solutions, including the launch of a new Digital Front Door health and social care app by the end of 2025.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Neil Gray MSP
The National Robotarium centre for robotics and AI was commended in the speech by for its pursuit to advance robotics to modernise the health service, utilising robotic, automated systems and smart systems to alleviate staff workloads and reduce waiting times. Mr Swinney also referenced a recent think piece by Lisa Farrell, Business Development lead for healthcare robotics at The National Robotarium, which highlights the need for investment into a dynamic, strategic vehicle to support rapid innovation and adoption of new technologies across NHS Scotland.
The event was attended by Heriot-Watt Principal, Professor Richard Williams, alongside leading experts, clinicians and decision makers from NHS Scotland and health charities, and watched online through The Scottish Government’s social media live stream. A number of robotics start-ups working in the healthcare sector were also in the audience.
Following the speech and Q&A discussion, the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary joined Stewart and Lisa for a short tour of The National Robotarium’s Human-Robot Interaction labs, taking in the facility’s Laboratory for Robotic Assistive living (LARA), a testbed for assistive robots, designed to emulate a two-bedroom apartment.
Mr Swinney and Mr Gray also met with healthcare robotics start-up companies BioLiberty and Metacarpal, both of which are based at The National Robotarium, utilising its office space, flexible labs and high-tech equipment to develop their robotic innovations.
Rowan Armstrong, co-founder of Bioliberty, which has developed an AI-enabled robotic hand to support rehabilitation and physiotherapy for stroke patients, building strength and capturing progress through its Lifeglov monitoring system, and Fergal Mackie, Founder and CEO of Metacarpal, who has designed a purely mechanical robot hand for upper-limb amputees, both discussed how being part of the award-winning facility’s business incubation programme has enabled them to fast-track their creations. They also discussed the challenges facing healthcare innovators in trying to increase adoption of new technologies into the NHS.
Stewart Miller, CEO of The National Robotarium said: “It was an honour to host the First Minister and be part of this important discussion that puts digital innovation at the heart of improving health and social care in Scotland.
“At The National Robotarium, we’re advancing robotics that can help people live healthily and independently for longer, improving their lives and supporting our dedicated healthcare professionals to deliver better care. However, this goal isn’t possible without support from government.
“We have welcomed this opportunity to share and discuss how robotics, data and AI can make our healthcare services more accessible and sustainable while simultaneously building a powerful new economic sector in Scotland.”
