Plotting future UK robotics research programmes

Purpose – To report on a workshop, “Future UK Robotics Research Opportunities and Challenges”, held at Salford University in November 2005. Design/methodology/approach – The driver for the workshop was fear that the UK could miss out on future opportunities in the robotics market, which recent figures suggest could be six times larger in 20 years' time compared with today. The workshop was split into two main sessions. In the morning, the theme was funding sources currently available for research programmes, with presentations from representatives of the European Commission, EURON (the European Robotics Research Network), EUROP (European Robotics Platform) and the UK EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). All these bodies can provide support to UK researchers for appropriate projects. In the afternoon, the focus was on the technical challenges for robotics particularly in the service domain, which is forecast to be the big growth area. Three areas were discussed: human‐robot interfaces, robot modularisation and field robotics. Finally, the outcomes from a final “break out” session are given, the main proposal being a UK national “Grand Challenge” that would reinforce the relevance of robotics to future everyday life. Findings – There are many opportunities in both the funding of and the challenges to UK (and other European) researchers in robotics, particularly in service environments. Originality/value – Provides a review of the current status of European robotics research programmes and the fundings available to UK teams.