Welcome to the first ever UK Robotics Week.
There can be little doubt that Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) are going to change many aspects of our lives. We are now reaching a point where science fiction is coming closer to science fact.
We are near to realising a world where machines not only address laborious, repetitive or dangerous tasks on our behalf, but one where they act cooperatively with each other and us, drawing on knowledge and experience to learn and take decisions.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funds the research and training that will bring the necessary skills and innovation together to ensure the UK is at the forefront of RAS developments. We are working with partners such as Innovate UK and other research councils to speed the impacts of research for application in society and the economy.
In 2015 EPSRC we announced the formation of the RAS Network. It provides leadership, a coordinating function for academic activities in the UK, and seeks to expand collaboration with the RAS dedicated facilities and Centres for Doctoral Training EPSRC funds across the country.
The Network has successfully developed the concept of UK Robotics Week which will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to push the boundaries further. I hope everyone involved from children to industry to government will enjoy participating in, and see the value of, the activities planned.
Prof Philip Nelson
CEO, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Acting autonomously or in close collaboration with humans, Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) have a broad range of new and established applications. As the underlying technologies are being further developed and translated from laboratory settings to real-world applications, RAS is playing an increasingly important role for the UK’s economy and its future growth. The UKRAS Network is established with the mission to provide academic leadership, expand collaboration with industry and integrate and coordinate activities at the EPSRC funded RAS capital facilities, Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) and partner universities across the UK.
We are delighted to launch the first UK Robotics Week. The focus of this weeklong series of events and activities, to be held annually during the last week of June, is to shine a spotlight on the UK’s technology leadership in robotics and autonomous systems, and to engage the nation’s schools, colleges and universities in developing the digital skills needed to drive the UK’s future economy.
The Robotics Week is intended to act as a forum for discussing the technological, commercial, legal, ethical and social aspects of robotics. During the week, there will be a wide range of events from symposia, workshops, hackathons, public lectures and competitions throughout the country. It adds focus to a thriving programme of existing robotics activities that take place throughout the year. By linking to other key events in the robotics calendar, it aims to ensure that robotics remains high on the agenda as one of the transformative technologies of today and tomorrow.
I would like to thank all those who have put in a tremendous amount effort in making the UK Robotics Week a success and we look forward to meeting you during the events.
Prof Guang-Zhong Yang
Chairman, EPSRC UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems Network