techUK launches Robotics programme to position the UK as a global leader in the future of robotics
[London, UK] 16 September 2025 – Technology trade association techUK has today launched a Robotics programme to leverage the UK’s world-leading expertise in robotics to drive economic growth and productivity.
Representing more than 1,100 companies across the technology ecosystem, techUK is expanding its Tech and Innovation portfolio with a dedicated Robotics programme. This will see the trade association work with its growing membership to help position the UK as a global leader across areas including industrial and collaborative robots, autonomous vehicles, drones and UAVs, delivery robots, and humanoids.
The launch of this programme comes as NVIDIA today announced that it is collaborating with techUK and a range of organisations at the forefront of cloud for AI, robotics systems, and tech training to accelerate the adoption of physical AI and AI-driven robotics across UK industries. techUK will partner with NVIDIA as well as other members to help start‑ups, research centres, major industrial players, and government tackle shared challenges around innovation, regulation, and skills.
The UK has a long track record of world-class innovation. By harnessing its strengths in R&D, talent and manufacturing, the country has an unprecedented opportunity to develop the next era of advanced robotics and accelerate deployment at scale, driving productivity and boosting competitiveness across key industries. According to a recent report from Make UK and Sage, improving support for SMEs to adopt automation and AI, including robotics, could boost the UK economy by £150 billion over the next decade.
However, realising the full potential of Robotics and Automation in the UK will not just require bringing together industry and academia to accelerate development and adoption but also bold action from UK Government. This includes GO-Science conducting a cross-government assessment of the UK's key robotics strengths and capabilities, recognising robotics as the seventh frontier technology within government’s Digital and Technologies Sector Plan, strengthening DSIT’s robotics team to begin to lay the foundations for a National Robotics Strategy, and prioritising robotics and embodied intelligence within the Regulatory Innovation Office.
As part of the programme, techUK will act as a convener between industry, government and academia, facilitating new opportunities for collaboration between the UK’s leading robotics and AI start-ups, major companies, including NVIDIA and Oxa, and universities; shaping future policy priorities; and ensuring the UK has the right components to lead in the responsible development and deployment of robotics at scale.
Sue Daley OBE, Director for Tech and Innovation, techUK said:
“We are excited to announce this new programme and to champion our members in this fast-growing field. The UK has the right components to be a global leader in robotics, from world-class research, cutting-edge companies, and a strong innovation ecosystem, but it now needs a clear national vision and the right investment to turn potential into real-world impact at scale.
“Our new Robotics Programme will bring together industry, government and academia to ensure we have a clear national vision to drive the development of advanced robotics, scale adoption across key sectors, boost growth and productivity, and secure the UK’s place at the forefront of these important technologies.”
Anthony Hills, Director Enterprise Business, UK&I, NVIDIA said:
“Robotics presents an exceptional opportunity for the UK to build on its strengths in innovation and research, and to shape technologies that will define the coming decades. By combining advanced AI and accelerated computing, NVIDIA is proud to join techUK and its partners in supporting the UK’s ambition to lead in robotics across industries.
“This programme is an important step toward fostering collaboration, developing talent, and delivering real economic impact. We look forward to working together to help UK businesses and research centres harness the full potential of intelligent machines and set new benchmarks on the global stage.”
Stewart Miller, Chief Executive Officer, The National Robotarium said:
“In three short years, The National Robotarium has played a key role in demonstrating how robotics are a core component for delivering the UK Government’s industrial strategy and today’s announcement from techUK to launch a Robotics-specific programme for its members, is another significant step in the right direction for the creation of a UK robotics ecosystem.
“This comes at a pivotal time for global technological advancement, and as the UK continues to invest in AI and digital transformation, robotics will play a vital role in shaping a future that is not only more efficient and productive, but one that drives growth and global competitiveness.
“I look forward to discussing how industry can make the most of the UK’s robotics opportunity at techUK’s 2025 Tech and Innovation Summit on 5 November.”
Paul Newman, Co-Founder and CTO, Oxa said:
“Oxa is proud to support the launch of techUK’s Robotics Programme. It will present exciting new opportunities for collaboration across the entire ecosystem, including leading robotics and AI start-ups. Robotics is the way in which AI effects and affects the physical world - and we should approach them as entwined. We look forward to working with techUK and partners like NVIDIA to secure the UK's place as a global leader in the field.”
The programme’s first major output will be a report, informed by techUK’s recent six-month robotics campaign and launching at the trade association’s flagship Tech and Innovation Summit on 5 November 2025. The report will highlight the key technologies set to shape the future of robotics, showcase how techUK members are developing these, and outline how government can deploy these at scale to drive economic growth and productivity.
Additional activity includes techUK’s inaugural UK-US Robotics Summit, to take place in London in 2026, which will catalyse bilateral collaboration, investment, skills and practical pathways that close critical gaps in the UK robotics space.
Notes to Editors
The programme’s webpage can be accessed.