The United Kingdom has a ‘significant opportunity’ to lead the next wave of robotics innovation and deployment, according to a new report published today by techUK.
The Seizing the Robotics Opportunity report highlights how breakthroughs in AI, sensing technologies, computing power and advanced materials are converging to create increasingly capable, connected and autonomous robots.
It notes how these are already beginning to reshape sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture and infrastructure, improving productivity, enhancing services and unlocking new business models.
The report claims the UK ‘must act now’ if it is to leverage its strengths across these technologies and turn this momentum into long-term growth.
Recetn examples of the UK’s recent robotics success stories include Oxford-based autonomous vehicle technology company Oxa’s £77.2m Series D funding round announced last month.
In the report, techUK highlights the opportunity to expand the use of robotics technologies – particularly among SMEs, where adoption remains at an early stage. With the right support, it says businesses can increasingly deploy proven, off-the-shelf technologies to boost efficiency and competitiveness.
Analysis from the Robotics Growth Partnership suggests that widespread adoption of robotics and smart machines could add up to £150bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) over the next decade, alongside significant gains in productivity, job creation and international competitiveness.
“The UK must double down on its areas of leadership and leverage these to support innovators, accelerate deployment and empower our most successful companies to scale and export,” says Rory Daniels, head of emerging technology and innovation at techUK.
“This report – put into practice through techUK’s new robotics programme – will equip industry and government with the tools and understanding necessary to achieve this mission.”
