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<p>This Department has worked with the Technology Strategy Board's (TSB) Robotics
and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Special Interest Group to develop a National Strategy
for robotics in the UK, which will identify commercial opportunities in key sectors
of the Government's Industrial Strategy.</p><p> </p><p>The Department and its partner
organisations fund research and development into the commercial application of robotics
as follows:</p><p> </p><p>BIS</p><p>This Department is currently providing funding
of £1.5m to support the development of autonomous road vehicles. The consortium (which
includes Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the Transport Systems Catapult and other
partners) will develop small pod-like vehicles capable of carrying up to 2 passengers
and which will ultimately be capable of autonomous operations.</p><p> </p><p>BIS has
previously funded a two year automation programme with the British Automation and
Robot Association that ended in September 2013. The £600k programme over two years
enabled the provision of a one day manufacturing review and diagnostic to small and
medium-sized enterprises on the potential to apply robotics and automation in their
businesses. The programme also provided the opportunity for more detailed interventions.
Over 268 one day reviews were carried out, and more detailed interventions accounted
for a further 282 days of advice.</p><p> </p><p>Research Councils</p><p>The Research
Councils current investment into research related to the commercial application of
robotics is £36.5m, which includes a £10m investment through the Natural Environment
Research Council into Marine Autonomous Systems.</p><p> </p><p>Technology Strategy
Board</p><p>The TSB is the prime channel through which Government supports business-led
technology innovation. Since 2010 it has invested £8 million in robotics and robotics
related projects, helping business develop and commercialise new products and services.</p><p>
</p><p>The TSB is arranging an entrepreneur-led overseas delegation to the US in June
2014 to develop the UK's brand in robotics and to engage with the rapidly growing
robotics cluster in San Francisco and San Diego. This creates a real opportunity for
UK robotics companies to capitalise on this growth and take a lead in integrating
their technologies in a range of markets that could exploit them. The message behind
the mission is that the UK is open for business and has innovative robotics companies
that are interested in the US market and are ready to engage in dialogue, form partnerships
and do business in the international arena.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Government
(through TSB) has previously funded research and demonstration of civil Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles through the £62m ASTRAEA programme over the past seven years. The programme
has made possible the ‘unmanned' flight of a Jetstream 31 from Lancashire to Inverness,
clocking up to 2,500 miles in flights between Lancashire and Inverness and around
the Irish Sea.</p><p> </p><p>UK Space Agency</p><p>The UK Space Agency encourages
and supports companies and research organisations to spin-out technology developed
through space exploration into non-space sectors. The funding provided by the Agency
is for feasibility studies. The relevant studies funded are:</p><p> </p><ul><li>the
application of Mars rover autonomous navigation for large off road vehicles; and</li><li>development
of Auto-Resonant Control System.</li></ul>
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