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Seminar on Robotics, AI & Safety

Seminar on Robotics, AI & Safety

RTPs working in RAS research environments often operate under risk profiles very different from those found in established industrial robotics settings. Yet, despite the critical role RTPs play in enabling innovation, the health and safety guidance available to them remains underdeveloped and inconsistent.

This seminar, created and delivered by robotics specialists at the Health and Safety Executive, aims to bridge that gap.

By bringing together experts in robotics safety, AI assurance, and human–robot interaction, this session will equip RTPs with the knowledge, frameworks and confidence to embed strong, forward‑looking safety practices into cutting‑edge research environments.

Aligned with priority areas of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), this event (planned for September 2026) is also an opportunity for the RTP community to engage with emerging thinking at a national level – and to help shape safe, responsible robotics development across the UK. Please SIGN UP HERE.
Seminar Objectives
Participants will:
  • Understand the core safety risks of heavy and collaborative robotics
  • Gain awareness of relevant industrial standards and regulatory expectations
  • Explore how AI impacts system behaviour, predictability and assurance
  • Appreciate key human–robot interaction and human‑factors considerations
  • Learn how to frame basic risk assessment approaches for RAS systems
  • Engage in structured discussions to apply principles to real-world scenarios
Provisional Agenda
10:00 – 12:00 Welcome and Laboratory Tour
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch
12:45 – 13:40 – Seminar Welcome & Industrial Standards & Robotics Applications
Speaker: Nick Hall
  • Overview of machinery safety and robotics safety standards
  • Typical use cases and physical hazard considerations
  • Heavy‑robotics risks: kinetic energy, unexpected movement, stored energy, maintenance impacts
13:40 – 14:00 – Q&A + Discussion
14:00 – 14:35 – AI in Robotics & Autonomy
Speaker: Colin Chambers
  • How AI changes robotics behaviour and assurance challenges
  • Human interaction with AI‑driven systems
  • AI‑related implications for risk assessment
14:35 – 14:55 – Q&A + Discussion
14:55 – 15:20 – Human Factors, Interaction & Risk Assessment
Speaker: Lanre Okunribido
  • Human–robot interaction models
  • Safe boundary management in shared workspaces
  • Designing systems for predictable, safe interaction
15:20 – 15:30 – Final Discussion & Close
This is a valuable opportunity for RTPs across the UK RAS STEPS community to build knowledge, share experience, and help shape good practice for safer, more effective robotics research environments.