Event round-up - Future Visions: Physical AI
The Future Visions series explores the next-generation technologies at the cutting edge of research and development that are set to disrupt industries, challenge incumbents, and act as a catalyst for growth. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about the latest advances in technology from those at the heart of its development, equipping them and their business to take action and realise the potential of future technologies.
Previous topics have included AI & semiconductors, metaverse, neuromorphic computing, and photonics.
On 30 April 2025, techUK hosted the latest event in our Future Visions series.
This webinar, the latest in techUK's Robotics & Automation sprint campaign, convened experts in the field of Physical AI to discuss the following topics:
- How Physical AI is already transforming industries like healthcare, construction, and transportation
- The latest breakthroughs in AI-powered robotics, smart machines, and human-machine collaboration
- The ethical and regulatory challenges of AI systems that can move, learn, and make autonomous decisions in the real world
- Where the UK stands in the global race to develop and deploy intelligent physical systems (and how UK industry can make the most of this opportunity)
The panel featured:
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Jenny Read - Programme Director at the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA)
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David Ripert - Venture Partner at FOV Ventures
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Isabelle Blanchot - Chief Revenue Officer at Enchanted Tools
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Michael Fisher - Professor of Computer Science & Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies at the University of Manchester
The session was chaired by Rory Daniels, Senior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies at techUK
You can find all speaker bios on the event page here.
You can watch the full recording of the webinar here:
Please note that the below is a summary of the event, and readers are encouraged to watch the webinar to understand the full details of the discussion.
1. How is Physical AI already transforming industries across the UK?
Physical AI - where artificial intelligence is embedded in machines that can sense and act in the real world - is already reshaping sectors like healthcare, construction, logistics, and transportation.
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Healthcare: AI-powered prosthetics and assistive robotics are improving mobility and independence for patients. One example cited was a soft robotic glove using embedded AI to assist with hand rehabilitation, enabling personalised therapy that adapts to patient progress in real time.
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Construction and Infrastructure: Robotic exosuits are being trialled to support workers’ physical load, reducing injury rates and enhancing productivity in labour-intensive environments.
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Transport and Logistics: Autonomous delivery systems and drone-based inventory management were noted as key innovations, with companies already seeing cost savings and efficiency boosts through AI-powered coordination and physical autonomy.
UK companies are starting to integrate these solutions, though most adoptions are still at pilot or prototype stages. Early investment in testbeds and partnerships is proving critical.
2. What are the key breakthroughs in AI-powered robotics, smart machines, and human-machine collaboration that industry should be aware of?
The speakers highlighted key developments across embodied intelligence, materials science, and machine learning:
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Embodied Intelligence: Machines that learn through physical interaction, mimicking human-like feedback loops. Breakthroughs include robots that adapt to unstructured environments using multimodal sensory input, such as tactile and visual feedback.
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Advances in Materials: Soft robotics and shape-memory materials are allowing machines to navigate tight spaces and interact safely with humans. This is essential in settings like eldercare or manufacturing lines.
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Human-Machine Collaboration: Rather than replacing workers, Physical AI is often augmenting them. A key concept discussed was “co-adaptive systems”, which are tools that learn from human input over time to support decision-making and manual tasks.
Importantly, several panelists cautioned against “autonomy hype”, reminding businesses that many AI-physical systems still rely on significant human oversight.
3. What are some of the main ethical and regulatory challenges that the UK will have to overcome?
The ethical issues raised go beyond typical AI discussions:
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Embodiment Raises Stakes: Machines that can move and interact physically bring greater risk, requiring new frameworks for safety, accountability, and consent. For instance, the use of AI in care settings raises concerns about surveillance, agency, and dignity.
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Autonomy and Responsibility: Who is liable if a self-learning robot makes a harmful decision? The panel referenced ongoing regulatory discussions in the UK and EU aimed at addressing this “accountability gap.”
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Bias and Accessibility: Physical AI systems trained on narrow datasets can behave unpredictably in diverse real-world conditions. This is particularly concerning in sectors like healthcare or urban planning.
The call to action: UK businesses should proactively engage in shaping standards and ethics committees, particularly if deploying AI systems in sensitive environments.
4. Where the UK stands in the global race—and how industry can prepare
The UK is well-positioned but faces stiff global competition, especially from the US and East Asia. Key national strategies were referenced:
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Smart Machines Strategy 2035: A roadmap for UK leadership in embodied AI, with funding earmarked for robotics testbeds, AI-materials integration, and interdisciplinary R&D.
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Modern Industrial Strategy: Highlights Physical AI as a growth sector, especially in smart manufacturing, care tech, and clean mobility.
Relevant figures shared:
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The UK government has committed £270 million to AI and robotics research from 2022–2025.
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Nearly 60% of UK manufacturers surveyed said they are exploring automation involving embodied intelligence.
How UK tech firms can prepare:
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Invest in R&D: Especially in partnerships with academic labs and Catapult centres focused on robotics and materials science.
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Participate in Standards Setting: Engage with bodies like the British Standards Institution and IEEE working groups.
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Upskill Workforce: Combine training in AI and robotics with a focus on ethics, human factors, and systems integration.
👋 Get in touch!
Rory Daniels
Senior Programme Manager, Emerging Technologies
Contact Rory at [email protected] to get involved in this sprint campaign or 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.
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Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
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Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
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- [email protected]
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- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.