Minister discusses plans for a world-leading National Robotarium to support the growth of smart robotics companies
UK Government Minister Robin Walker was given a tour of Heriot-Watt University’s world leading robotics facilities as he discussed progress on the creation of a National Robotarium.
The proposed facility, which is supported with £21 million from the UK Government, will provide a state-of-the-art base from which researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and educators will deliver the UK’s leading international centre for the generation of new smart robotics companies.
This is part of the UK Government’s £300 million investment in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Robin Walker said:
The facility will be co-located on the Heriot-Watt University campus, with access to the resources of both Heriot-Watt and the University of Edinburgh. This will build on the established partnership with University of Edinburgh through the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics.
Mr Walker later met with representatives from the Edinburgh Art Festival at the National Portrait Gallery to thank them for the cultural significance and substantial economic contribution they bring to the UK.
Background
The National Robotarium forms part of the ‘Data Driven Innovation’ programme which aims to establish the Edinburgh City Region as the ‘Data Capital of Europe’. Supported by £290 million from the UK Government and £60 million from the Scottish Government, the programme will deliver five innovation hubs across the region: the Bayes Centre, Easter Bush Campus, Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), the National Robotarium and Usher Institute. These hubs will be supported by the creation of a World Class Data Infrastructure (WCDI) and analytical services.
The UK and Scottish governments, together with regional partners, signed the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal on 7 August 2018. The two governments, six local authorities, universities and colleges are all working in partnership to invest £1.3 billion into the region over 15 years, including: innovation, skills, transport, culture and housing.
Last month US tech firm UserTesting announced it was planning to set up its first European headquarters in Edinburgh. The company have said the public-private partnership of the City Deal as an important factor in attracting them to the city.