Technical Showcases
UK RAS STEPS Technical Showcase 2026: Join Us at The National Robotarium
Following the success of last year’s UK RAS STEPS Technical Showcase at London’s Science Museum, this year’s event is set to raise the bar once again.
On Wednesday 10 June 2026, the UK RAS community will come together at The National Robotarium, Heriot-Watt University, for a full day of insights, demonstrations and forward‑looking discussion. The showcase will highlight the achievements and ambitions of our Special Interest Groups, spanning Sustainable 3D Printing, Liquid Handling Automation, AI & Automation, Manufacturing with Robotics, ROS, and Microbots & Sensing. Whether you’re already involved or looking to join the conversation, the event promises fresh perspectives and new opportunities to engage.
The morning will feature updates on project progress, key milestones and the real-world impact of UK RAS STEPS so far. Rapid-fire presentations will bring the programme’s activities to life – from advances in sustainable 3D printing and learnings from the Liquid Handling Workshop to insights gained through international knowledge exchange visits and Research Technical Professional placements. A series of lightning talks from RTPs will also offer candid snapshots of how STEPS has supported career development, hands‑on experience and technical innovation.
In the afternoon, the focus turns to the road ahead. Participants will explore priorities for the project’s final 18 months through collaborative breakout sessions aimed at identifying skills needs, emerging opportunities and areas where the community can strengthen its collective impact.
The day will conclude with guided tours of The National Robotarium, before the conversation continues at an evening reception at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. The event will also include a series of award presentations, with details to be announced soon.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this landmark gathering – register now!
UK RAS STEPS will fully fund travel, accommodation and subsistence for eligible Research Technical Professionals working in robotics and autonomous systems, making this a fantastic opportunity for those driving technical excellence across the UK RAS landscape.
Celebrating Success: UK RAS STEPS Technical Showcase 2025
On 18th June 2025, the UK RAS STEPS Technical Showcase brought together more than 130 Research Technical Professionals (RTPs), academics, and linked programmes at the iconic Science Museum in London to celebrate the outstanding contributions of technical staff working in Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS).
The event was a resounding success – highlighting the technical excellence, innovation, and collaborative spirit that define the UK’s Technical RAS community. With a dynamic programme of presentations, panel discussions, technical demonstrations, and workshops, the Showcase offered an engaging platform for RTPs to share their work and shape conversations about the future of robotics.
The Showcase formed part of the wider UK RAS STEPS initiative, which continues to champion the role of technical professionals and provide opportunities for training, collaboration, and recognition.
Awards Presentations
A key highlight of the day was the awards ceremony, recognising achievements in three categories:
Innovative Teamwork in Robotics
Winner: Graham Brown, University of Leeds
Highly Commended: Thomas McGravie (The National Robotarium, Heriot Watt University); Charles Richards (University College London), Fabio Tatti (Imperial College London), Robert Woolley (University of York)
Transformative Robotics Impact
Winner: Yuen Ting Chan (Natural History Museum)
Highly Commended: Daniel Marfiewicz-Dickinson (University of York), Gerry Rafferty (Queen’s University, Belfast)</>
Outstanding Robotics Engineering
Winner: Rob Clowes (University of Liverpool)
Highly Commended: Ana Rubio Denniss (King’s College London), Ian Dukes (University of Essex)
These honours celebrated the ingenuity, dedication, and influence of RTPs across the sector.
The Strategic Technical Platform and UK RAS STEPS
The STEPS (Strategic Technical Platform for Research Technical Professionals) project, part of the Strategic Technical Platform, aims to provide RTPs with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to succeed in their careers. Through training, mentorship, networking, and collaborative opportunities, STEPS is creating a thriving community of professionals who are passionate about advancing robotics technologies.
The UK RAS STEPS Technical Showcase is an integral part of this initiative, offering a forum for RTPs to share their work, learn from one another, and contribute to the growing impact of robotics in the world.