techUK's Robotics & Automation focus
Running from February to June 2025, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of robotic & automation technologies.
Such technologies include autonomous vehicles, drones, humanoids, and applications across industry & manufacturing, defence, transport & mobility, logistics, and more.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, and thought leadership pieces, with policy recommendations and a report to be launched in Q4 2025.
Objectives
The sprint campaign has had the following objectives:
To convene the UK's robotics & automation sector to increase awareness of stakeholders, drive collaboration, and create opportunities for partnerships (format: sector meet-up event, 25 Feb, techUK offices)
To identify the main robotics & automation technologies set to drive UK economic growth and productivity, including AI, sensors, and spatial computing (format: panel discussions +
Productivity & Automation insight series, 14 April submission deadline
)
To determine the key barriers to the development, application, and commercialisation of these technologies in the UK (format: workshops and/or roundtables)
To develop then share a set of recommendations for industry and Government to ensure the UK seizes the opportunities created by initiatives such as the
,
Modern Industrial Strategy (Invest 2035)
and Spending Review, with the ambition to lead on the robotics & automation technologies of the future (format: report)
Scroll down to view all activity to date and find out how to get involved in activity following the sprint.
Event round-ups
Catch up on previous events from this sprint campaign.
Insights
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, announcements, and calls for contributions.
2025 Tech & Innovation campaign week
This year's campaign week, which took place from 23-27 June, featured a day exploring the future of Robotics & Physical AI technologies.
Productivity & Automation insight series
This insight series, which took place on 28 April, showcases how techUK members and stakeholders are exploring the future of productivity & automation.
Get in touch!
Rory Daniels
Head of Emerging Technology and Innovation
Contact Rory at rory.daniels@techuk.org to find out more about techUK's future activity across Robotics & Automation or Emerging Technologies / Innovation more widely.
You can also find Rory on LinkedIn, where he regularly posts about emerging tech, here.
Related sprint campaign: Industrial AI
This sprint campaign, launched on 25 February 2025, is exploring how the full economic potential of Industrial AI in the UK can be unlocked.
You can find out more, including how to get involved, here.
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.