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The National Robotarium to support robotics technician development across UK

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The National Robotarium has been announced as a partner in the UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Strategic Technical Platform (UKRAS-STEP), a new 3-year project to support and enhance training and development for technical research staff.

With the backing of funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), UKRAS-STEP will strengthen the UK’s Robotics and Autonomous Systems capabilities, improve the long-term career prospects of Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) and create stronger links between academia, industry and government.

Through a consortium of 37 universities within the existing UKRAS network, the project, led by University of Leeds Professor of Robotics, Robert Richardson, will deliver a programme of education across eight themes, designed to support the diverse range of technical expertise that currently supports world-class robotics research.

“Research technicians are the backbone of world-leading research into Robotics and Autonomous Systems, providing a wealth of technical expertise and operational support…”

– Steve Maclaren, Chief Operating Officer at the National Robotarium

Professor Richardson said: “Research Technicians in Robotics and Autonomous Systems play a pivotal role in advancing robotics research across various industry sectors in the UK, spanning from transport and healthcare to manufacturing and unmanned systems.

“Despite their amazing contribution, career growth opportunities are limited and as a result, some areas experience high staff turnover. UKRAS STEPS will establish a dedicated platform to address these challenges by facilitating the development of secondments, training programmes and mentorship schemes.

COO Steve Maclaren and Senior Technician Thomas McGravie

The National Robotarium will lead in formation of a number of task groups, each focused on addressing a particular challenge within the technical research sector. Through an open call, HEIs from the UK-RAS network will work together to deliver tasks ranging from small projects and producing training materials to holding national workshops and influencing policy through white papers.

“The UKRAS-STEP initiative will enable me and other technical research colleagues working in robotics across the UK to connect, share knowledge and best practice.”

– Thomas McGravie, Senior Technician at the National Robotarium

Chief Operating Officer at the National Robotarium Steve Maclaren will lead on the Task Groups work package. He said: “We are thrilled to be a part of the UKRAS-STEP programme and work with the RAS community to help advance training and opportunities for technical research staff.

“Research technicians are the backbone of world-leading research into Robotics and Autonomous Systems, providing a wealth of technical expertise and operational support that enable scientists to conduct research safely and effectively in an optimum research environment.

“Without them, we would be unable to maintain and manage essential research components such as robotic equipment, lab space, computer systems and software, so it is vital that our community of technical research professionals feel valued with opportunities to develop and grow.”

Thomas McGravie has been Senior Technician for Heriot-Watt University at the National Robotarium since it opened in September 2022. He said: “The UKRAS-STEP initiative will enable me and other technical research colleagues working in robotics across the UK to connect, share knowledge and best practice, and build upon our individual and collective skills.

“I’m excited to see the proposal come to life and look forward working more closely with the wider RTP community.”

About UKRAS-STEP
The UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Strategic Technical Platform (UKRAS-STEP), led by University of Leeds, is one of 11 new projects benefitting from a share of a new £16 million investment by EPSRC and UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) to improve the long-term career prospects of Research Technical Professionals (RTPs).

UKRAS-STEP will create a community-driven strategic technology platform that empowers individuals to develop, while building an inclusive community to enhance the UK research environment and support the delivery of world-class research in the UK.

Its three main objectives are:

i) To enhance individual technical knowledge, skills and career development amongst research technicians;
ii) Provide opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, community-driven activities, celebrating and promotion success, international collaboration and national advocacy;
iii) Deliver a flagship programme that is inclusive, ethical and sustainable.

New training centre created to make robots safer and more trustworthy

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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.”

Researchers to develop made-to-measure 3D laser beams

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Researchers at the National Robotarium have secured £586,000 to develop 3D laser beams whose shape can be changed.

The innovation is set to transform the manufacturing and healthcare technology industries, making it easier and cheaper to produce products that require highly-precise manufacturing, such as medical equipment and mobile devices.

The funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation, will support the development of the lasers for industry application, accelerating the commercialisation of the technology for the benefit of businesses.

Lasers are a crucial component of modern manufacturing, with the global laser processing market projected to grow from £2.8 billion in 2020 to £4.1 billion by 2025. They are used widely by industry to produce precise incisions and mould materials into specific shapes.

However, this approach to laser-based manufacturing depends on melting or vaporising the material, which means the laser’s energy must be focussed on the right points. The standard laser beam shape makes it difficult to tailor this for specific manufacturing processes, decreasing efficiency and limiting what can be made.

The research to be undertaken at the National Robotarium will develop laser beams which have been specifically designed to meet the exact manufacturing requirements of products, improving efficiency and precision.

The National Robotarium is supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4 million from the Scottish Government as part of 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.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “This is cutting-edge technology in every sense of the phrase. These 3D lasers are set to unlock previously unheard of levels of precision and so transform our manufacturing and medical technology industries, boosting the UK’s global reputation for innovation and attracting jobs and further investment.

“This exciting research is being supported both by a £586,000 UK Research and Innovation grant, and our £21 million investment in the National Robotarium through the Edinburgh City Region Deal.”

The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy Kate Forbes said: “I’m very pleased to hear this cutting-edge research will be carried out at the National Robotarium, which is funded through the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, and that it will have a direct impact on our world leading manufacturing industries.

“This is a crucial time for business, trade and investment in Scotland. City Region and Growth Deals have a key role to play in our economic recovery from the pandemic as we work towards a fairer and more inclusive Scotland. Our £300 million commitment to the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will enable much needed investment in transport, housing, culture, and innovation, as well as skills development for local people, to help build a future economy that benefits everyone.”

The new technique could be harnessed to improve how holes for sensors and cameras on smartphone screens are drilled and to increase the density of information on semiconductor chips, helping to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for more memory in devices.

Medical applications could include cancer surgery, where it is hoped more precise medical instruments could allow the resection of tumours without removing healthy surrounding tissue. In an academic partnership, the project’s research into this kind of medical application will be supported by Professor David Jayne at the University of Leeds.

In keeping with the National Robotarium’s focus on industry collaboration, researchers will work with three industrial partners, PowerPhotonic, Oxford Lasers and the G&H Group, to optimise the approach and final product for commercial application.

Dr Richard Carter, Assistant Professor of Applied Optics and Photonics at Heriot-Watt University and the project’s lead, said:

“Manufacturing is of key strategic importance to the UK, with a particular focus on high-tech and high-value manufacturing. This research will address the priority area of digital manufacturing, enabling a bespoke, rapid response capability for the first time. The new methods we are developing represent a paradigm shift in the capabilities of laser-based manufacturing, making it possible to move between 3D beam shapes with zero down-time, low cost and minimal technical know-how.

“Through collaboration with our industry partners, we’ll be able to develop the lasers in line with what industry needs, providing solutions to manufacturing challenges across a wide range of sectors. However, this technology could also support research in quantum technology, waveguide physics and the bio-sciences – anywhere where light must be controlled and manipulated.”

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