Institution news
Q: Could you briefly explain your role and involvement in robotics?
Kevin Blacktop (KB): I chair the National Robotics Network, which is a network of industry end user, supply chain and academic organisations who seek to work collaboratively through an open innovation hub.
Q: In your experience, what is the number one challenge facing engineers when using robotics in hazardous environments?
KB: Robotics for hazardous environments is a relatively new application. Using robots in an unstructured environment is very challenging and there are very limited commercial applications available to end users.
Q: What is the most exciting development in this field at the moment, either within your company or in your specific engineering sector?
KB: Taking robotics out of the factory and using them in new and challenging environments is very exciting. There is a huge untapped market for infrastructure inspection and maintenance that will result in huge productivity and safety gains for the end users. So many industries have people working in hazardous conditions and this requires potentially intrusive processes to ensure safe working practices. Robotics offer the opportunity to safely streamline these processes.
Q: Where do you see the future of robotics technologies heading over the next 5 to 10 years?
KB: I would like to see a healthy supply chain develop in the UK that could provide affordable and useful products to end users, both in the UK and abroad.
Q: What are you most looking forward to by taking part in this seminar?
KB: I would like end users to appreciate the opportunities robotics can bring them and for the supply chain to start to engage with these new potential sectors.
Attend this seminar to:
- Hear from leading organisations using and developing robotics including Rolls-Royce, National Nuclear Laboratory, Airbus Defence and Space and Wood Group
- Learn about the latest developments in autonomous robotic technology across hazardous industries
- Understand how robotics can improve safety, efficacy and cost efficiency, with case studies from a nuclear decommissioning environment
- Network with robotics experts and end users from academia, research, space, aviation, construction, nuclear, rail and oil and gas
Gain insight into designing for locomotion, innovations in grasping, sensing and manipulating objects, and the role of AI and autonomy in a robotic future. Learn how to make the most of developments in robotics for hazardous environments, including the space, nuclear, offshore, construction, aviation and oil and gas industries. To book your place, please visit www.imeche.org/robotics.