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Chamber and committees

National Robotarium Opens at Heriot-Watt University

  • Submitted by: Gordon MacDonald, Edinburgh Pentlands, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 October 2022
  • Motion reference: S6M-06152

That the Parliament welcomes the opening of the National Robotarium, based at the Heriot-Watt University campus in Edinburgh, on 28 September 2022; understands that this new centre will be the largest and most advanced applied research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in Scotland and across the UK; recognises that the National Robotarium pioneers disruptive innovation in the robotics and autonomous systems sectors to address global challenges in areas including hazardous environments, offshore energy, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, human-robot interaction, assisted living and agritech; acknowledges that the facility will offer an ecosystem to rapidly translate products and services from laboratory to market, foster industry collaboration and connect expertise in Scotland, across the UK and internationally; notes that this new national and international hub is developed as a partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh; understands that the facility is part of the Data-Driven Innovation initiative and is supported by £21 million from the UK Government and £1.4 million from the Scottish Government through the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal; highlights what it sees as the potential for the National Robotarium to ensure Scotland’s role as a world-leading international hub for robotics, autonomous systems and AI; congratulates all National Robotarium staff and researchers on the development of the facility, and wishes them every success in their future endeavours.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Jackie Baillie, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Foysol Choudhury, Graeme Dey, Sharon Dowey, Jackie Dunbar, Annabelle Ewing, Pam Gosal, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Rona Mackay, John Mason, Liam McArthur, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Mark Ruskell, Collette Stevenson, Kaukab Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Michelle Thomson, David Torrance, Sue Webber