Members' Business — S6M-07286 Gordon MacDonald: Developing an Economy Driven by New Robotic Technology at Heriot-Watt University

That the Parliament commends the ongoing research at the newly opened National Robotarium, based at the Heriot-Watt University campus in Edinburgh and developed in partnership with the University of Edinburgh; understands that the centre is the largest and most advanced applied research facility for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) in the UK; further understands that the National Robotarium is supported through the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal; considers that the National Robotarium has unrivalled technology and facilities, central to the development and testing of robotics and AI solutions across the three distinct areas of robotics and autonomous systems, human and robot interaction, and high-precision manufacturing; understands that the centre leverages existing research and industry expertise to address global challenges in areas such as hazardous environments, offshore energy, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, human-robot interaction, assisted living, and agritech; applauds what it sees as the ability of the National Robotarium to move innovative products and services rapidly from laboratory to market, to develop new prototypes, and support early stage product development within an incubator environment that drives productivity; thanks staff and researchers at the centre for promoting what it considers Scotland’s role as a world-leading international hub for robotics, autonomous systems and AI, and notes the view that Scotland will need to develop a manufacturing base and train a qualified workforce in order to embrace new opportunities in a future economy driven by modern robotic technology.