Construction of the National Robotarium - a World-Class Robotics Centre

That the Parliament welcomes the start of construction on the largest and most advanced robotics research facility in the UK, based at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh campus; notes that the National Robotarium, a partnership between Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh, forms part of the City Deal’s Data Driven Innovation (DDI) theme, which aims to establish the region as the data capital of Europe; believes that the £22.4 million facility will be a world-leading centre of excellence for pioneering research, expected to open in Spring 2022; understands that the 40,000 square foot new building will provide extensive world-class facilities for researchers and knowledge exchange to translate cutting-edge research into innovative new technologies with commercial opportunities; further understands the centre will explore robotics and artificial intelligence applications in a wide range of areas including hazardous environments, offshore energy, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, human-robot interaction, assisted living, and agritech; believes that the new building will attract world-class talent and create new partnership opportunities to bring together academics, global companies and entrepreneurs, and has confidence that the National Robotarium will be a motor for economic development and scientific advancement in Scotland and beyond.