£648k to help ARU boost national robotics growth
ARU will work with The Welding Institute to co-ordinate eight regional hubs
Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has secured £648,000 in Government funding to support a national initiative that will help accelerate the adoption of robotics and autonomous systems across the UK, boosting productivity and growth.
Working in partnership with The Welding Institute (TWI), ARU will create the Accelerating UK Robotics Adoption (AURA) - National Robotics Adoption Hubs Convening Body, a £1.7 million project funded through Innovate UK. The initiative will coordinate and support a new network of eight hubs established across the UK.
The Government-backed programme forms part of a wider £40 million investment designed to help businesses and public services adopt cutting-edge robotics technologies. Each of the eight hubs will act as regional or sector-specific “one-stop shops”, providing organisations with specialist advice, demonstrations and practical support to identify, adopt and integrate robotic solutions.
The role of ARU, incorporating its Anglia Ruskin Innovation Centre (ARIC), and TWI will be to ensure the hubs work together effectively to share knowledge, expertise and best practice, while developing a consistent approach and maximising impact across a range of sectors, including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, energy, agriculture, transport and infrastructure.
The programme aims to make UK businesses early adopters of robotics tech to boost productivity and growth. Government estimates suggest that the adoption of robotics and autonomous systems across a wide range of industries could boost the economy to the tune of around £150 billion by 2035.
The AURA project will provide a central point of coordination for the eight Robotics Adoption Hubs, helping to close the knowledge gap that often slows uptake of robotics and autonomous systems. The programme will also promote collaboration between universities, businesses, local authorities and innovation organisations, ensuring investment delivers benefits for communities and industries throughout the UK.
“This project represents an exciting opportunity for Anglia Ruskin University to play a leading role in helping organisations across the UK unlock the benefits of robotics and autonomous systems.
“ARU brings significant expertise in innovation, business engagement and knowledge exchange. Through AURA, we will help create strong connections between industry, researchers and regional adoption hubs, ensuring that knowledge and best practice are shared effectively across the network.
“By supporting organisations to adopt proven robotic technologies, we can help drive productivity, improve workplace safety, strengthen competitiveness and support sustainable economic growth. Just as importantly, we can ensure businesses of all sizes have access to the guidance and support needed to embrace emerging technologies with confidence.”
Professor Chris Land, Director of the Centre for Business and Society at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)The announcement follows work by Anglia Ruskin Innovation Centre (ARIC) on the Upskill project run by Horizon Europe, which involved studies on the implementation of technology across a number of manufacturing companies across Europe.
“Building on the success of the recent Horizon Europe Upskill project, I am delighted that TWI, ARU and ARIC will be collaborating again on this exciting opportunity to have real world impact at the frontier of robotic adoption.”
Dr Robert Cooper, Director of ARIC at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)