Insights from the showcase
Agnes Wamagui our Knowledge Transfer Manager in Robotics, presents lessons learnt and shared experiences from the Robotics Industry Showcase 2026, which highlighted why integration and real‑world evidence matter more than ever.
Read the insights: Robotics adoption in the UK – The real innovation challenge
Watch the livestreamed recording
You can see the full stream from the Auditorium above.
Overview
As part of the Innovate UK Robotics Adoption programme, and in alignment with the recent announcement on the launch of a £52 million competition for new Robotics Adoption Hubs across the country, this full-day showcase event brought about dynamic conversations on how robotics plays a critical role in improving sustainability, efficiency, and social inclusion.
From autonomous vehicles and delivery robots to medicine discovery, robotic waste sorters and AI-enabled infrastructure monitoring, the integration of robotics, technologies, people and processes can help to automate tasks, enhance services, and create safer, more resilient systems.
The showcase demonstrated how robotics technologies are being used in the real world today whilst connecting industry, academia, government, and developers to explore capabilities, spark new collaborations and inspire the next wave of adoption.
What applications were explored?
Participants shared ideas and gained exclusive insights whilst seeing latest solutions and application developments of robotics across sectors.
Anything from automated assembly and remote handling to drone-based data gathering, waste sorting, and precision monitoring. Below are just some of the common areas that robotics have been identified to help the most:
- Improve working conditions and reduce exposure to hazardous working conditions.
- Boosting efficiency and capacity from battery production to hospital logistics.
- Inclusive employment to enable remote operation roles for individuals with disabilities or care responsibilities.
About the event
Led by Innovate UK with partners Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), techUK, Milton Keynes City Council and Smart City Consultancy, the showcase featured:
Accelerate robotics adoption summit
Designed to increase the adoption, integration, and diffusion of robotic technologies across UK industries, this top-flight conference brought together stakeholders from across the robotics ecosystem. The summit introduced debates on how best to harness UK robotic capability to power mass robotic adoption. Areas for discussion included how to:
- Close the UK productivity gap through automation.
- Support SMEs in digital transformation.
- Boost global competitiveness of UK robotic industry.
- Enhance resilience and agility across sectors.
Solution hubs
This interactive area offered investors and challenge holders the chance to discover real examples of practical robotics solutions and identify early adoption synergies, as well as ask questions, and receive tailored guidance on how robotics can address their specific needs.
In Solution Hub A, we explored challenges from our partners across areas including healthcare, aviation, and hospitality:
- Deploying safe robotic companion systems to reduce paediatric anxiety in clinical environments
Robotic companion systems are sought by Milton Keynes University Hospital to improve patient experience, reduce anxiety, and support clinical workflows. - Deploying safe robotics and autonomous systems for construction and airside operations
Autonomous systems that enable safety, productivity and efficiency are of interest for Heathrow Airport’s complex 24/7 operational environment. - Deploying robotics to enhance fan experience, operations and revenue
Stadium MK is keen to enhance fan experience and reduce congestion whilst increasing on-site revenue during football matches and large events.
In Solution Hub B, experts and professionals from the pharmaceutical sector learned about cutting-edge robotics automation and manufacturing applications.
Exhibition and robotics runway
In addition to an exciting catwalk of different robot types, attendees visited companies showcasing their latest prototypes, models and applications.
Some of the companies who showcased their robots and application solutions:
- A3L
- ABB Robotics
- Livefarmer Europe Ltd
- LOOP 3D Additive Manufacturing Ltd
- HAL Robotics
- i3D Robotics Ltd
- Innvotek Ltd
- KUKA Robotics
- Ohbot
- Robot Logistics
- Robotics For Good C.I.C.
- Ross Robotics Ltd
- Shadow Robot
- SNL Robotics
- Star Robotics
- TeknTrash Robotics
- Versatile RobotX
- Vizgard
Networking and 1-2-1 meetings
In addition to taking advantage of the invaluable networking opportunities amongst UK based pioneers and leaders, registered attendees were able to book 15-minute meetings to build and strengthen strategic relationships with decision-makers, experts, academics and robotics businesses.
Who attended?
This exciting showcase was open to anyone interested in the future of robotics in the UK. From end-users, industry leaders, business decision makers, practitioners, technology innovators, investors, researchers, or from government or regulatory bodies.
Why attend?
The showcase was an opportunity to take part in a pivotal moment for the UK robotics technologies community. For those interested in showcasing, investing or developing a deeper understanding of future opportunities, the event provided an ideal platform for innovation to meet commercial impact.
Attendees heard from industry experts, explored solutions to real-world challenges, and built connections across business, research and policy. They identified collaboration opportunities, experienced innovations from early prototypes to market-ready solutions, and gained early insight into the future of UK robotics.
The showcase also sparked collaborative projects, created funding opportunities, and enabled the discovery of adoption pathways, as well as giving attendees the chance to:
- Hear about and see the latest robotics technologies and case studies
- Explore new partnerships and collaboration opportunities
- Gain insights into market trends and emerging technologies
- Network with peers and specialists from Innovate UK
Please click below to view the full agenda and speakers from the event.
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Running order (main auditorium, livestreamed above):
9:00 – 12:30 : Conference
• 09:30-09:45: Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 09:45-10:00: Keynote: Setting the Scene: The view from DSIT
• 10:00-10:45: Building the UK’s Robotics Ecosystem: How Industry and Government Turn Local Leadership into National Scale
• 10:45-11:00: Coffee Break & Live Robotics Demos
• 11:00-12:00: From Lab to Field – How We Make Robots Ready for the Real World
12:30 – 13:30 : Lunch break (livestream will pause)
13:30 – 14:45 : Conference
• 13:30-14:15: Catalysing Robotics Investment: From Skills Development to Public and Private Finance
• 14:15-14:45: Call to Action & Closing Remarks
14:45 – 15.00 : Set up Robotic Runway (livestream will pause)
15:00 – 16:30 : Robotics Runway
16:30 – 17:00 : Networking (livestream will end when this starts)View the full agenda on Cvent, including speaker details and parallel sessions in other rooms.
Accessibility and Inclusion
We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible for all.
If you experience any barriers to registering, for any reason, please contact us by email: enquiries@iukbc.org.uk or phone: +44 03333 403250 and we will support your registration.