EPSRC UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems (UK-RAS) Network

ANNOUNCEMENT We'd like to welcome the newest members of the UK-RAS Network+ Executive Committee: Dr Van Mien, Queen's University Belfast Dr Chaona Chen, The University of Sheffield Gianmarco Pisanelli, The University of Sheffield Prof Giacinto Barresi, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, University of the West of England Prof Ignazio Maria Viola, The University of Edinburgh Prof Philip Breedon, Nottingham Trent University These colleagues join the existing members of the UK-RAS executive: · Prof Andy Weightman, The University of Manchester. · Prof Barry Lennox, The University of Manchester. · Dr Maria Galvez Trigo, Cardiff University. · Dr John Oyekan, The University of York. · Prof Rob Richardson, The University of Leeds. · Prof Lynne Bianchi, The University of Manchester. · Prof Yvan Petillot, Heriot Watt University We are pleased that this process has led to: 1. An expansion of the number of UK-RAS member institutions represented on the executive; 2. An increased range of robotic thematic areas and disciplines represented on the executive; 3. Balancing the executive in terms of representation of earlier career and later career stage academics; 4. Ensuring our executive committee is diverse, in all senses.

We have now reached our planned expenditure through the Ad-hoc funding stream and will close to new applications on Friday the 29th of November. We have already identified 11 members that we will be funded through this stream. We may reopen this scheme next year depending on the spend profile of our UK-RAS network.

Do you know anyone who manufactures, supplies or sells robotics and autonomous systems in the UK? Still time to complete our survey! The output from this survey will form the basis of a White Paper to influence government policy 😊

Save the date: January 7-8, 2025 6th UK robot manipulation workshop at King's College London, central London website: https://lnkd.in/gb5Fu47M (programme and call for poster presentation to be updated soon and will include 15+ talks, poster sessions, robot demonstrations, lab tours and social networking activities) We are looking of industry exhibitors and sponsors (feel free to contact me via ildar.farkhatdinov@kcl.ac.uk ) We have several confirmed speakers, including Google DeepMind, Ocado Technology, Amazon Fulfillment Technologies & Robotics, Haption, The Institute of Engineering and Technology and others.

UKRI EDI Caucus EDICa's [edicaucus.ac.uk] Flexible Fund projects, led by Dr Fasoli at the University of Surrey. Study Title: Understanding barriers and facilitators in grant preparations. We are conducting a study aimed at understanding the personal and institutional challenges that researchers from underrepresented backgrounds encounter when preparing a grant application. We are also interested in identifying ways in which researchers feel supported in writing their grant applications. The study is part of a project titled ‘Breaking Barriers in Research Funding Applications: Evaluating Narrative CVs and Co-Designing Solutions for Application Processes’.   What: The study will involve a 60-minute online interview Who: We are looking for individuals who: a.       are active researchers working in the UK, b.       have applied, are applying, or are aiming to apply for research funding, c.       identify as part of an underrepresented group (e.g., gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, disability, etc). When and Where: Please contact Dr Fasoli (f.fasoli@surrey.ac.uk ) or Jess Riley (jr01057@surrey.ac.uk ) to receive more information about the study and arrange the day and time for the interview. Incentive: In exchange for your participation, you will receive a £15 Amazon voucher. Additional information about the project can be found here [surrey.ac.uk]

Open funding call!!! The pro² network+ is seeking to support ground-breaking projects that integrate materials into interactive systems to transform how we design, interact with, and experience technology. New and emerging materials will drive innovation in digital devices. However, there is currently a significant gulf between those with expertise in developing new materials and those who can deploy those materials into the design of novel interactive devices. Outside of large multi-national companies, this gulf presents an insurmountable challenge for most designers. The overarching goal of this call is to reduce the entry barrier to exploring and using emerging materials. Attend our Q&A webinar (https://lnkd.in/giTJfP2u)  on the 11th of November 10:30-11:30am GMT to learn more. Read the full call and apply: (https://lnkd.in/gN-Hv4Wc) by the 4th of December.

Tomorrow sees the new Engineering Educates: Robotics Challenge launch! So much work has gone into bringing this campaign to life and it’s been a pleasure to work with everyone involved, from robotics academics from EPSRC UK Robotics and Autonomous Systems (UK-RAS) Network, teachers and an artist! Not to forget of course our fantastic team at The University of Manchester Science and Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub. Teachers, if you’re looking for those all important ‘real-world contexts’, whilst still teaching core curriculum, look no further. This isn’t sci-fi; these robots are real and impacting our lives in so many ways. Sign up to access here: https://lnkd.in/eQzV_gRh Lynne Bianchi, Andy Weightman, Kate Dodgson, Ben Davies, Nicola Fletcher

Robotics Inclusive invites you all to our virtual networking event, aimed at fostering an inclusive community within UK robotics. This event will bring together people across the country who have an interest in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA). Through the fun interface of Gather Town, participants will be given the opportunity to interact, learn, and connect with a supportive community. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eywiSx2c

UK RAS STEPS aims to empower and support Research Technicians in #robotics and #autonomous systems by fostering ongoing professional development, bringing together and strengthening the community, and raising the profile of #RAS Research Technician careers. Watch the full video to find out more about the programme: https://lnkd.in/eDGmYr3H UK Research and Innovation EPSRC #Technician #Careers

Exciting day at the UK-RAS Showcase at the University of Manchester! 🎓 We’re proud to be demonstrating Quanser’s cutting-edge technology, including our autonomous robot (QBot Platform), self-driving car (QCar), robotic arm (QArm), and powerful digital twin software. 🤖🚗💻 It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase how we’re pushing the boundaries of robotics and autonomous systems. The future is here, and we’re proud to be a part of it! 🚀 #Quanser #Robotics #AutonomousSystems #QBot #QCar #QArm #DigitalTwin #UKRASShowcase #Innovation #Technology #UniversityOfManchester #STEM #FutureOfEngineering #Automation #RoboticsEducation