The nation’s schools, colleges and universities are being invited to celebrate innovation in the UK’s robotics industry with the announcement today of the first UK Robotics Week.
The focus of this week-long series of events and activities 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 cornerstone of the initiative is a School Robot Challenge, an exciting new national competition centred on bioinspired robots. Children will be invited to submit robotics-inspired essays or artwork, and to design their own robotic bug. Every school in the UK will be provided with an information pack and lesson plans for all age ranges, plus access to a free design repository to help students to create and even manufacture their own 3D printed robotic bug. The competition will use hardware and equipment already in schools and include the optional use of low-cost 3D printers and robotics kits.
In addition to the School Robot Challenge, UK Robotics Week will include the finals of a series of international academic challenges in which leading robotic research groups from around the world will come to the UK to demonstrate the very latest robotic technology, including:
- Surgical Robot Challenge 2016
- Field Robotics Challenge 2016
- Autonomous Driving Challenge 2016
- UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Challenge 2016
The full programme of competitions and events – which will include open robotics labs, public lectures and industry showcases – is expected to attract significant global interest from academia and industry, and will help cement the UK’s position as a major force in robotics and autonomous systems development.
UK Robotics Week is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), The Royal Academy of Engineering, IET, and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
