Secondment Opportunities

The National Robotarium

The National Robotarium, based at Heriot-Watt University, drives cutting-edge research in robotics, AI, and automation. Our mission is to tackle global challenges by advancing innovations from lab to market through close industry collaboration and secondments, which foster vital knowledge exchange. We nurture highly skilled professionals, support start-ups with labs and business expertise, and help shape the future of robotics through hands-on training and commercial partnerships.

Areas of expertise

• Robotic Systems, Machine Learning & Autonomous Technologies: Advanced research in utilising and developing mobile robots, autonomous vehicles, and drones, focusing on autonomous navigation and multi-robot coordination for independent operation in complex environments across land, sea, and air.
• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Conducting research in human-robot interaction within shared environments, focusing on user-friendly robots that can understand and respond to emotions, gestures, and commands. 
• Robotics for Assisted Living and Healthcare: The Laboratory for Robotic Assisted Living (LARA) provides a fully accessible, two-bedroom model home where researchers can test and develop assistive robots, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and smart sensor technology. 
• Sensing, Perception, and Computer Vision: The National Robotarium advances robotics with Sensing, Perception and computer vision by developing systems that enable machines to perceive, understand, and respond to their surroundings, enhancing capabilities in navigation, recognition, and decision-making. 
• Robotics for Manufacturing and Industry: The National Robotarium focuses on developing advanced robotic systems to improve efficiency, precision, and safety in industrial processes, driving innovation and productivity across the various sector The National Robotarium work with. 
• Cognitive and Affective Robotics: The National Robotarium researches how robots can understand, learn from, and adapt to human behaviours and emotions, enabling more intuitive and empathetic interactions. Any data collected supports both industry and research applications.

Key research facilities and equipment

• RAS lab – 18m x 9m of work area
• Quadrupeds – Boston Dynamics – Spot (3 off), Unitree B1 & G1 and AnYimal
• Wheeled robotic platforms for indoor & outdoor use
• Robotic arms – Interchangeable end effectors, that can be configure for various applications (i.e. pick “n” place)
• Cobots – pick “n” place applications
• Overhead gantry crane – 5 tonne
• Ameca – one of the world’s most advanced humanoid robots
• Mechanical Workshop
• Tormach CNC 1100MX Mill (inc 4th axis) for machining plastics, aluminium, stainless steel
• Makerspace – 3D Printing Facility
• Rapid prototyping – parts
• FDM (Bambu Lab printers – 5 off)
• Resin (Formlabs Form 3 & Anycubic)
• 3D scanning – for reverse engineering parts
• Waste 3D print recycling – shredder/injection moulder used to create PLA sheet for use on the laser cutter
• Electronic workshop
• General hand tools – soldering stations, debugging etc.
• Laser cutting – Trotec Speedy 360 laser cutter
• Outdoor test Facility – For endurance testing robots in different underfoot & weather conditions (wear on tracks and battery life etc)
• Marine Robotics/ROV’s
• ROV’s & subsea scanning equipment – Blue ROV, IVOR
• Access to 5m x 5m x 2m deep water tank for testing underwater equipment
• Wet lab – for creating Soft Robotics
• Vicon system – Motion tracking system
• HRI labs – Human / Robot Interaction – Healthcare, robotic-assisted living
• Fourier Rehab lab – Rehabilitation robotics
• Robotics For Agricultural applications – Using AI to count flowers on fruit trees to help farmers predict harvest sizes months in advance, making crop yields more efficient, sustainable & profitable – (Robot Tom v4, James Hutton Inst)
• Portable private 5G network
• Public Engagement and school outreach

Collaboration opportunities

At The National Robotarium, we offer short-term secondment opportunities across key research and commercial areas. For longer-term secondments, tailored arrangements can be considered upon inquiry.
Our live projects provide a broad spectrum of collaboration opportunities, covering sectors such as robotics, energy, manufacturing, and autonomous systems.
A selection of our active projects includes:
• Olter – Offshore low-touch energy robotics & autonomous systems
• Clothing defect analysis ACS
• Drinks industry vision systems
• Offshore subsea inspection
• Utilities pipeline inspection
• 5G robotic connectivity
• Robotic testing
• Robotics assembly and manufacture
• Fisheries – new product development
• And many more in prototyping, manufacturing, and testing

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University of Birmingham

At the Institute for Robotics at the University of Birmingham we are working in all the fundamental areas of robotics including, but not limited to actuation; sensing and vision; manipulation; automation; autonomous systems and AI; and human-robot interaction. We have extensive experience of applying robots to multiple application areas. We actively welcome secondment collaborations to foster innovation, knowledge exchange, and professional development across our diverse areas of expertise.

Areas of expertise

• Manipulation and Grasping: Grippers and End-effectors, Teleoperation, Human-Robot Interaction
• Medical Robotics: Assisted Reproductive Technology, Cell Manipulation and Injection, Robotic Rehabilitation
• Industrial Automation: Automated Assembly and Disassembly, Waste Management, Autonomous Manufacturing and Re-manufacturing, Automation in Agriculture and Food Manufacture, Digital Twin and Condition Monitoring, Fault-tolerant systems
• AI and Machine Learning: Autonomous Systems/Machine Learning and AI, Intelligent Control, Nature-inspired Metaheuristics and Swarm Intelligence, Connected and Autonomous Systems
• Soft Robotics: Actuation, Sensors and Computer Vision, Exoskeletons and Force Augmentation

Key research facilities and equipment

The Institute has an array of state-of-the-art robotics equipment including large industrial robots such as the KUKA KR210 + KL4000 and KUKA KR120s with Airskin and a range of smaller collaborative robots. We also have numerous mobile robots including a Spot legged robot and UAVs. Additionally, we have an extensive range of other specialist equipment and software for automation and robotics.

Collaboration opportunities

We welcome research technicians for both short and long-term secondments, with opportunities to contribute to projects such as our EPSRC hub RESCu-M2 (Robotics, Automation & Smart Machine Enabled Sustainable Circular Manufacturing & Materials), RECREATE and our Medical Testing Plastics project which all focus on robotics, automation and AI for the Circular Economy. There is also opportunity to work on our healthcare related projects or contribute to our work in Extreme environments such as our project with Sellafield.

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University of Leeds

At Leeds, we are driving innovation in the growing field of robotics and artificial intelligence, leveraging a network of more than 100 researchers across multiple disciplines. Our focus includes world-leading research in medical robotics, field and infrastructure robotics, artificial intelligence, and enabling technologies for autonomy in robotics.

Areas of expertise

• Real Robotics
  • Our industrial partners, researchers and students can access a suite of technologies for robot design and construction that is among the most advanced in the world. Our national Robotics Facility is backed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the Government’s drive to improve Britain’s international competitiveness in robotics. For more information visit: https://robotics.leeds.ac.uk/
• Healthcare Mechatronics Lab
  • The Healthcare Mechatronics Lab at Leeds develops cutting-edge mechatronics and robotics technologies to tackle contemporary healthcare challenges. Our research centres on three key areas: Sensing Technology, Soft Robotics, and Medical Devices. Collaborating closely with healthcare professionals, we address issues in minimally invasive surgery, cardiac assistance, orthotics, global health, and incontinence.
• Storm Lab
  • At the STORM Lab, we strive to enable earlier diagnosis, wider screening and more effective treatment for life-threatening diseases such as cancer. We do this by creating affordable and intelligent robotic solutions that can improve the quality of life for people undergoing flexible endoscopy and laparoscopic surgery in settings with limited access to healthcare infrastructures.
  • The research focus of the STORM Lab spans several fields of surgical robotics, with particular focus on medical capsule robots, robotic endoscopy, soft surgical robots, affordable medical devices and autonomy in robotic surgery.

Key research facilities and equipment

Our institution is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that facilitate cutting-edge research in robotics:

• Robotics Facility: Features advanced robotic arms, autonomous vehicles, and simulation tools for various applications in medical and industrial settings.
• Additive Manufacturing: We employ sophisticated techniques to combine components into functional devices that can be rigorously tested for mechanical and electrical properties. Our equipment includes the Perfactory 3 ultra-high precision 3D printer, the Fusion3D 1100 Laser Structuring System, and te LASER CAB Laser Welding System.
• Subtractive Manufacturing: Our capabilities extend to removing material from components to create precise features and forms. This is supported by equipment such as Synova Lase-MicroJet cutters, a high-end 5-axis CNC milling machine, a CNC lathe, and a PCB processing machine.
• Assembly and Testing: Our 3D visualisation suite integrates a Virtalis Activewall 3D display with a Vicon motion tracking system, creating an ideal environment for collaborative discussions and the exploration of 3D models.
• Robot Assembly Cell with Haptic Control: This tele-operated robotic system utilizes haptic interface devices, magnified 3D vision, and four high-precision robotic arms to facilitate the assembly of miniature components and robots.
• Wireless Communications Test Bed: This facility allows for Gigabit/s testing of transmitters, receivers, and individual subsystems up to 110 GHz, enhancing our capabilities in wireless technology research.
• Low Temperature Co-Fire Ceramic (LTCC) Prototyping Facility: Enhanced by our ongoing developments, this facility supports advanced prototyping and testing in electronic and electrical engineering applications.
• da Vinci Research Kit: The University of Leeds is proud to have received the da Vinci Research Kit as a donation from Intuitive Surgical, a global leader in robotic surgery. Valued at £1 million, this advanced medical robot will significantly enhance our research capabilities in robotic surgery. Notably, the University of Leeds is the only institution in the north of England, and outside of London, to have access to a da Vinci Surgical Robot for technology-oriented research.
• STORM Lab: At our STORM Lab, we utilise KUKA LBR Med robots, which are certified for medical-grade applications in both hardware and software. This advanced robotic arm can significantly reduce the time-to-clinical-trial for medical robotic platforms. Currently, we are using the KUKA LBR Med to explore the feasibility of magnetic colonoscopy and are eager to foster new collaborations that could lead to first-in-human trials.
• Dowson Tribology Laboratory: Focuses on lubrication, friction, and wear in real systems using advanced tribometers and simulation rigs.
• Bradley Combustion Laboratory: Enhances combustion efficiency and safety in engines and turbines through fundamental and applied research.
• Erosion and Corrosion Laboratory: Equipped for oil and gas applications, mineral scaling, and bioengineering research.
• Dynamic Testing Facilities: First-class measurement systems for automotive and aerospace components, including advanced computational fluid dynamics and finite element modelling software.
• Medical Engineering Equipment: Supports research in materials analysis, joint simulation, surface analysis, and heart valve simulation.
• Optics Laboratories: Develops innovative imaging and metrology techniques.
• Surface Analysis Suite: Features cutting-edge tools like atomic force microscopy, nanoindentation, and mass spectroscopy.
• Microfluids and Interfacial Fluid Mechanics Laboratory: Studies fluid flow for industrial processes and micro-scale devices.
• Thermofluids Research Laboratory: Focuses on fundamental fluid mechanics and combustion research.
• Wolfson Foundation Laboratory: The world’s largest facility for simulating artificial joint replacements, including advanced wear and friction testing.
• Material Characterization Facilities: Equipped with static and dynamic testing machines and thermal imaging systems.
• Design Systems Laboratory: Features motion tracking and observation tools for studying human interaction with technology.
• Plasma Vapour Deposition Facility: Supports advanced surface engineering research.
• Control and Dynamics Laboratory: Includes rapid prototyping and computer-aided manufacturing capabilities.
• Newly Commissioned Corrosion Research Laboratory: Dedicated to sour corrosion and high-pressure/high-temperature research.

Collaboration opportunities

The University of Leeds is pleased to invite technicians to consider short-term and longer-term secondments at our facilities. This is an excellent opportunity to develop existing skills, learn new ones, and gain insights into our operations.
We welcome any technicians interested in joining us to enhance their experience and contribute to our innovative research.

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