Multi-strand strategy aims to improve UK robotics technology

This is the conclusion of a report published today looking at stimulating growth in Britain’s robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) sector.

The strategy was developed for the government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills by the Technology Strategy Board’s RAS Special Interest Group (SIG), in consultation with EPSRC and the UK robotics industry.

It suggests that the UK is in an excellent position to become a world leader in an industry estimated to be worth between $1.9 – $6.4tn per year by 2025 in terms of its global economic impact^.

A key recommendation of the strategy is to develop existing UK assets, such as decommissioned nuclear sites, farms, factories, mines and whole towns, for use as robotics test beds. With the right regulatory framework, this would reportedly present an opportunity to attract robotics developers and investors from around the world.

The strategy was officially announced by David Willetts, minister of universities and science who said in a statement: ‘In order to capitalise on the robotics opportunity, the strategy - which has been developed to inform future government resourcing and organisation, and to guide future policy - identifies five core strands of activity that it recommends as the focus for UK investment and action going forward.’