UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems strategy published

Robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) is one of the 'eight great technologies' identified by the UK government as being able to propel future economic growth in the country and the strategy says that "if the UK optimised its current RAS technology, it would raise productivity in manufacturing by up to 22%, with a long term employment increase of up to 7%". The report goes on: "In manufacturing, the potential to reshore production is of key economic benefit," and adds that RAS "will enable a seamless digital production environment and easily reconfigurable factories and collaborative human robot systems thereby increasing efficiency and competiveness". There is a real opportunity, it offers, for the UK to become a manufacturing centre of excellence and to profit from its innovative design and product development skills on a global scale. The government-backed Technology Strategy Board set up the Robotics and Autonomous Systems Special Interest Group in 2012 to bring together key partners in academia, business and government to improve understanding of the opportunities in the field, and this strategy is the outcome. David Lane, chair of the RAS-SIG steering group, says: "We believe the UK has the potential to be a world-leading nation in the race to create a new generation of smarter tools and services that we will use in our homes and workplaces. "Moreover, we believe we understand what we have to do to create innovation from our inventions and attract talent to the UK. There are clear steps the UK can take to turn its potential in this area into significant economic growth and societal benefits." The strategy recommends the setting up of a leadership council; investment in business clusters and skills; a series of 'grand challenges' to raise engagement; creation of real examples of what robotics can do on farms, in factories, in oil and gas plants, in the home, at airports, on roads, in nuclear facilities and in hospitals; co-ordination among funding agencies; and further development of work with the EU and with investors. Read the strategy at the link below