Universal Robots, the world’s largest collaborative robot (cobot) company, has opened its first UK robotics hub in Sheffield today to help manufacturers unlock the benefits of cobots and automation. The facility consists of offices and a showroom where the latest technology and applications for cobots will be demonstrated. It will also strengthen Universal Robots’ existing ties with the North of England, building on the existing facilities and equipment at the
University of Sheffield,
Sheffield Hallam University, and the
Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
Moreover, the new site will enable regional manufacturers to better understand and work more closely with cobots and will host training sessions and meetings to help foster strong relationships between developers, distributors and manufacturers.
Mark Gray, UK & Ireland manager at Universal Robots, said: “Yorkshire has long been recognised for the pioneering role it played in the industrial revolution which made it the perfect location for our first UK hub. We are excited to work even more closely with the AMRC, as well as the university R&D departments of Sheffield, York and Leeds. In the face of a growing manufacturing talent shortage in the UK, we hope that greater automation will make the industry more attractive for both future and lapsed workers.
The benefits of robotics and autonomous systems are widely understood by the UK Government with their uptake expected to deliver a boost of £6.4 billion in value added to the UK economy, by 2035. In an effort to secure this future economic boost, Universal Robots’ new hub will help train current and future workforces on how to work alongside and maximise the production benefits of cobots.
Driving forward Industry 5.0Mr Gray added: “We are helping to solidify the UK’s role in driving forward Industry 5.0, while also recognising the UK Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ strategy. This hub is opening at a crucial time for the UK and we believe that increasing output in manufacturing, via robotics and automation, is key for boosting UK productivity — something that is sorely needed in today’s economic climate.
“In the UK we have the lowest productivity in the G7. Robotics are a solution here and it is no coincidence that some of the countries with the highest rates of productivity have adopted robotics and automation as part of their industrial strategies.”
Dr James Law, Senior Innovation Fellow, Sheffield Robotics, Department of Computer Science, and the AMRC Integrated Manufacturing Group at the University of Sheffield, said: “We work very closely with industry so it is encouraging to see such a significant player in the world of robotics setting up a hub in Sheffield. Cobots will transform the way we work as they will allow UK manufacturers to combine the unique perceptual and cognitive abilities of humans with the repeatability, precision, and lifting capabilities of robots.
“In this way, cobots can be used to augment the abilities of the human, removing them from dangerous, repetitive and strenuous activities. This new hub will help UK manufacturers to further unlock the potential value offered by robotics.”
This latest hub opening follows in the wake of record annual revenues for Universal Robots of $326 million in 2022, up 5% on the previous year.