Robotarium to be UK's largest AI site and make Edinburgh ‘data capital of Europe’
12 Oct 2022
The opening of the National Robotarium in Edinburgh has established the UK’s largest and most advanced centre for robotics and artificial intelligence.
Created at a cost of £22.4 million, it represents a collaboration between the Heriot-Watt and Edinburgh Universities, together with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and is funded by both the UK and Scottish Governments.
National Robotarium CEO Stewart Miller said: “The partnership will enable TCS and the National Robotarium to bring together our vast combined experience and expertise, elevating the robotics and artificial intelligence offering of both organisations as a result.
“We will shortly announce a joint programme of focused research, which will outline some of the future technologies required in the field of robotics and AI.”
The centre will collaborate with TCS on applied engineering and joint research encompassing soft robotics, field robotics, cobot, tele-operations, plus social and geriatric care.
Based at Heriot-Watt campus, the National Robotarium is part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative, subsidised by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4 million from the Scottish Government.
UK Government Minister for Scotland David Duguid Scottish Government Business Minister Ivan McKee were both in attendance at the opening ceremony for the complex. Its construction is linked to plans to make Edinburgh the data capital of Europe and forms part of the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal.
Duguid remarked: "This collaboration will help ensure the UK continues to be a trailblazer in meeting global challenges through AI and cutting edge robotics"
Pics: Paul Zanre
