The National Robotarium welcomes the UK Government’s announcement of £40 million funding to create a network of robotics adoption hubs as part of the new Industrial Strategy, marking a pivotal moment in the UK’s journey towards robotics leadership.

This significant investment will establish specialist facilities across the UK designed to accelerate robotics adoption and innovation, demonstrating how our country can transform from a robotics consumer into a global producer and technology leader. The strategic importance of this initiative has been highlighted in both the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing strategy and the Technology Adoption Review, also published today.

The National Robotarium, a global research institute at Heriot-Watt University, has proven the transformative potential of strategic robotics investment. Since launching in September 2022 with £22.4 million in capital funding from the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, we have supported over 100 jobs, nurtured 14 innovative robotics companies, and engaged approximately 27,000 young people in robotics education, demonstrating the economic and social returns possible from focused robotics initiatives.

This new investment comes at a critical time. The UK currently ranks just 24th globally for robots per manufacturing worker, with Germany alone installing eight times more robots than the entire UK in 2023. The global robotics market is projected to reach £218 billion by 2030, representing enormous opportunities for countries that position themselves as producers rather than consumers.

The new robotics adoption hubs will focus on accelerating technology uptake and supporting businesses in understanding and implementing robotics solutions. This approach addresses the urgent need identified in the Industrial Strategy – that approximately 20,000 of the UK’s 27,000 manufacturing SMEs currently operate without robots, representing a massive untapped opportunity for productivity improvement.

International evidence shows that every £1 invested in R&D generates up to £7 in economic benefits. These new facilities will create high-skilled jobs, support innovative businesses, and drive productivity improvements while building the foundation for a thriving UK robotics sector.

Stewart Miller presents ‘Reaping the Rewards of the Robotics Revolution’ at the UK Parliament, March 2024

The robotics revolution is accelerating globally, and this investment positions the UK to move from the sidelines to serious contention. The National Robotarium stands ready to support this national effort and share our expertise to ensure these new facilities succeed in transforming the UK’s robotics capabilities.

As a proven model of successful robotics innovation, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to this nationwide expansion and help position the UK as a global robotics leader in the technologies that will define the future economy.

To read more about the UK’s robotics opportunities, see our policy document ‘Reaping the Rewards of the Robotics Revolution’.

Stewart Miller
Chief Executive Officer
The National Robotarium