Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Extreme Environments in USA 2019
This expert mission aimed to bring back many insights and set out the numerous opportunities that exist for robotics and artificial intelligence (RAI) in extreme environments – technologies that have real cross-sector potential and could help to revitalise traditional industries, create new jobs and boost productivity.
Abstract from outcome report:
The booming robotics and artificial intelligence (RAI) market presents an opportunity for the UK to expand on its expertise in these technologies, build thriving new businesses, solve real problems and lead the debate in critical aspects of what has become known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. One of the biggest opportunities for robotics investment and innovation lies in so-called extreme environments, such as space, offshore energy, deep mining and nuclear decommissioning, because environments that are hazardous to human beings are ideal candidates for robotic alternatives – as set out in the Robots for a Safer World Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF). In March 2019 the Robotics & AI in Extreme Environments Expert Mission brought together a cohort of leading experts from the UK’s research, start-up, and enterprise communities as specialist representatives of the UK’s RAI sector in this field.
The team flew to California and Texas to better understand the success of the RAI community in these US states, benchmarking their capabilities against the UK’s in extreme environment applications. It succeeded in those aims, bringing together an expert group that could form a springboard for new initiatives and cross-industry collaboration in extreme environments robotics. Members came from a variety of disciplines in extreme environments RAI, including offshore energy, mining, engineering, flight assurance, and the development of specialist mechanical devices and AI systems.
Read an insight into this Global Expert Mission by Paul Larcy and Marie Emerson, Innovate UK KTN.
About Global Expert Missions
The Global Expert Missions (GEM) programme is funded by Innovate UK and designed to build international collaborations with governments, societies, enterprises, institutions, and people from every corner of the globe. With global challenges requiring international perspectives, the programme aims to support the UK government’s ambition to be the international partner of choice and a global hub for innovation by 2035.