Robotics & Autonomous Systems: EPSRC UK-RAS Network

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The EPSRC UK-RAS Network (http://uk-ras.org) was established in 2015 with the aim of bringing together academic centres of excellence, industry, government funding bodies and charities to strategically grow the UK-RAS research base, acting as a portal to interface with industry and deliver technological advances with the potential for translational uptake. Since its foundation, the UK-RAS Network has helped transform the research landscape of Robotics and Autonomous Systems in the UK, bringing cohesion to the UK-RAS research base, enhancing capital facilities across the country, supporting education programmes and public engagement activities at all levels. The UK-RAS Network has successfully strengthened the research landscape and interdisciplinary community of RAS by facilitating synergistic research and education programmes across the UK. It has also significantly raised the awareness of RAS nationally through the UK Robotics Week, strengthened the interaction between the research community and end-users, enhanced the linkages of CDTs, provided coordinated investment to state-of-the-art capital facilities, and exerted significant influence on future direction and national policies of RAS and AI. However, there are further gap analysis activities and cross-disciplinary developments in RAS research need to be made, and, as research moves toward technology departments, engagement programmes offering knowledge and training for marketisation and commercialisation need to be addressed, through strategic industrial partnerships, cross-promoting existing programmes and facilitating further access. This grant is to build the success achieved, expand the current UK-RAS portfolio as identified by the recent EPSRC RAS Theme Day Report, strengthen collaboration with parallel industrial activities, both nationally and internationally, and support the government's industrial strategy challenge fund (ISCF) as Robotics and Autonomous Systems is ubiquitous in all the major themes identified. will continue to grow the RAS community, through increased university membership, Innovate UK KTNs, The UK Automatic Control Council (UKACC), EPSRC Robotics Hubs, and the RAI-SIG. New activities of the Network will include entrepreneurial programmes, support SMEs and a vibrant UK-RAS eco-system, industrial fellowship schemes, management of national RAS assets, STEM ambassador programmes in RAS, establishment of UK RAS & AI topic groups, as well as planned network events including annual UK Robotics Week, Robotics Challenges, public engagement events and exhibitions.