At The National Robotarium, we believe that collaborations – at local, national and international level – are essential to advancing robotics innovation. In our latest blog post, Thomas McGravie, Senior Robotics Technician at The National Robotarium, shares his insights from a recent a knowledge exchange visit to Japan.

Building Global Connections

Organised through the UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technical Specialists (UK RAS STEPS) network, Thomas and other technical specialists from leading UK universities and research institutes came together in April 2026 to explore Japan’s robotics ecosystem and share technical expertise.

Selected through a competitive application process, Thomas was one of ten technicians chosen to participate in the programme, which aimed to foster collaboration between UK and Japanese robotics communities. The trip also provided valuable opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing among technicians, who oftentimes work in highly specialised environments.

Thomas said: “As someone who came into robotics from a mechanical engineering background, the trip offered a rare chance to step back and look at the wider picture. It wasn’t just about seeing new technologies, it was about understanding how different countries approach innovation and how technicians are crucial to driving research ecosystems.”

“Being relatively new to robotics, it helped me understand the bigger picture and see how their priorities shape the technologies they develop.”

Tom (fourth from left) and other UKRAS-STEPS delegates visited RT Corporation, a robotics innovation company based in Tokyo

Robotics Solving Real-World Challenges

The group visited several leading institutions, including the Tokyo Institute of Science and the University of Tokyo, where researchers showcased cutting-edge work in human-robot interaction.

One of the most striking observations from the visit was the strong connection between robotics research and real-world societal needs. Japan’s unique environmental challenges have driven significant investment in technologies designed to operate in hazardous environments. Researchers demonstrated robotic systems developed for inspecting damaged nuclear facilities, assessing infrastructure, monitoring radiation levels, and supporting disaster response following earthquakes and tsunamis.

Thomas said: “Many of the projects were directly addressing challenges that Japan faces as a country. The research wasn’t being conducted for its own sake – there was a very clear application and purpose behind the work.”

Attention was also given to projects supporting Japan’s ageing population. Researchers showcased studies with people engaging with humanoid robots in healthcare environments, exploring whether robot assistants could help improve the patient’s experience and support increasingly stretched healthcare services.

Thomas said: “These projects highlighted the importance of understanding the human side of robotics. The technology itself is only part of the challenge; understanding how people respond to it is equally important.

“This resonated with me as it’s exactly the kind of work we’re doing in healthcare robotics at The National Robotarium.”

Tom (third from left) with the group at The University of Tokyo

Industry Innovation

The delegation also visited RT Corporation, a robotics company developing commercial automation solutions.

Among the technologies showcased were robotic systems designed for food production environments, automating repetitive tasks such as sorting, handling and assembling food products. The company also demonstrated educational robotics platforms, autonomous systems and mobile robots used for research and development, providing valuable insight into how robotics companies are balancing advances in artificial intelligence with practical engineering and manufacturing expertise.

Thomas said: “There was a clear emphasis on creating solutions that solve genuine industry problems. It was interesting to see how research, product development and commercial deployment are connected.”
Shared Challenges, Shared Opportunities

Beyond the technical demonstrations, Thomas found one of the most valuable aspects of the programme was the opportunity to connect with fellow technicians. The visit created space for conversations about common issues, best practice and professional development.

He said: “Many technicians, like myself, either work in small teams or as the sole technician within their organisation. When you attend a conference, you might only get a few minutes with someone – spending a week together gave us the chance to really understand each other’s work and learn how we share a lot of the same challenges.”

The discussions reinforced the critical role technicians play in supporting research and innovation. Thomas also learned that many Japanese institutions are beginning to recognise the importance of rebuilding technical support structures after reducing technician roles in previous years.

He said: “Our hosts were genuinely interested in understanding how technical specialists contribute to research environments in the UK and how those models might support future development in Japan.”
Building a global robotics community

A recurring theme throughout the visit was the potential for greater international exchange between the UK and Japan, with a shared appreciation for technical expertise creating a strong foundation for future collaboration. Researchers, technicians and institutional leaders expressed strong interest in developing future partnerships, including knowledge-sharing initiatives and more staff exchanges.
Representatives from the UK science and technology community based in Japan also joined several meetings, helping identify opportunities to strengthen relationships between organisations in both countries.

Thomas said: “The visit demonstrated how much we can learn from each other.

“Whether it’s technical expertise, different ways of solving problems, or approaches to supporting innovation, there’s huge value in sharing knowledge across borders.”

For The National Robotarium, which has in recent months entered collaboration agreements with robotics institutes in Australia, Denmark and the Basque Country, these connections reinforce the importance of engaging with global robotics communities and ensuring that Scotland remains part of international conversations shaping the future of robotics and artificial intelligence.

Tom taking part in Japan Kart during some downtime in Tokyo!