Scottish businesses unite behind national robotics cluster

Survey findings reveal near-unanimous demand for dedicated robotics support as Scottish Government-backed programmes gain momentum

Scottish businesses, academics, and robotics developers have signalled overwhelming support for the creation of a national robotics cluster, according to new findings from workshop programmes run by the National Robotarium with backing from the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.

The research, gathered through a series of regional workshops and surveys involving 79 organisations, found that 99% of participants agreed Scotland needs a dedicated robotics cluster to accelerate adoption and strengthen the sector’s ecosystem.

The findings emerge from two Scottish Government-funded initiatives led by The National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for robotics and AI at Heriot-Watt University. The Robotics Adoption Fund has delivered sector-focused readiness reviews to help businesses prepare for automation, while the Scottish (RAS) Robotics and Autonomous Systems Cluster pilot programme, delivered in partnership with National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), has brought together stakeholders from across the country to shape the future of Scotland’s robotics landscape.

These programmes have confirmed what we’ve long suspected; that there is a real hunger across Scottish industry to embrace robotics, but businesses need the right support to take that step.

Rowanne Miller, Project Manager and lead of the Robotics Adoption Fund

Workshops held in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen attracted strong attendance from industry, academia, and the public sector, with nearly 100 participants engaging across the three events. Participants identified key barriers to robotics adoption including limited cross-sector collaboration, a lack of awareness of existing funding routes, and insufficient understanding of robotics among organisational decision-makers. Skills and talent retention also emerged as a concern, with Scottish employers competing against attractive opportunities overseas.

However, the workshops also revealed strong market appetite for robotics solutions and significant demand from businesses ready to take the next step – reinforcing the case for a coordinated national approach.

Rowanne Miller, Project Co-Lead at the National Robotarium, said: “Scotland has all the ingredients to become a global leader in robotics adoption – world-class research, a strong manufacturing heritage, and businesses eager to innovate. These programmes have confirmed what we’ve long suspected; that there is a real hunger across Scottish industry to embrace robotics, but businesses need the right support to take that step. The overwhelming consensus is that a national cluster would provide a platform to connect the robotics ecosystem, share knowledge, and drive productivity gains across the economy. Get this right, and Scotland won’t just adopt robotics – it will help shape how the rest of the world does too.”

The findings will inform the development of Scotland’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) cluster, one of the priority sectors identified in the Scottish Government’s National Innovation Strategy. The cluster aims to position Scotland as a destination of choice for robotics development and adoption.

Minister for Business Richard Lochhead said: “Our aim is to make Scotland a leader of Robotics and Autonomous Systems technologies. The success of our Robotics Adoption Pilot and RAS Blueprint Cluster programme, led by the National Robotarium, demonstrates how Scotland is turning this ambition into action.

“By building on our existing academic and industry strengths, we are positioning Scotland to lead the way in robotics across the UK. Through developing world‑leading market clusters in areas like robotics, the country can position itself as one of the most innovative small countries in the world growing new businesses, attracting world-class talent, and strengthening our wider economy through new robotics development and adoption.”

As well as leading the successful delivery of its pilot programmes, The National Robotarium continues to shape government strategy on robotics and AI. Following a recent presentation by CEO Stewart Miller to the Cross-Party Group on Science and Technology, the creation of Robotics Scotland was highlighted as a key recommendation in the group’s latest Vision for the Future strategy document, which laid out priorities for the incoming Government. The proposed agency would help prepare Scotland for the adoption and development of robotics by strengthening skills, regulation, public awareness, and economic competitiveness.

The National Robotarium was also namechecked as an exemplar of innovation in the government’s new 5-year AI Strategy 2026-2031, which aims to harness the potential of AI to drive responsible and inclusive growth across our economy and make a positive difference at every level of society.

And, ahead of his departure from Scottish politics, constituency MSP Gordon MacDonald raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the centre’s achievements in the last year, receiving cross-party support across the chamber.

The National Robotarium is a Data-Driven Innovation hub, funded in partnership with The University of Edinburgh as part of the £1.5bn Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal. The Deal is supported with £300m funding from the UK Government and £300m funding from the Scottish Government.