ROBOTICS engineers from the University of Salford were prominent players at a major industry day at MediaCityUK on Friday, September 4.
Led by Professor Samia Nefti-Meziani, Dr Steve Davis and Dr Adham Atyabi the team showcased cutting edge research in ‘soft robotics’ industrial automated systems and robotics for healthcare and assisted living.
Their work featured on the BBC, Sky News and Granada and Professor Meziani – a key player in regional research and development – was interviewed by the broadcasters.
Salford University is part of the Northern Robotics Network – which launched at the event at Salford’s MediaCityUk campus on Friday, September 4. The Network brings together research institute and universities and high tech businesses in the region and grew out of the GAMMA project to revolutionise manufacturing processes in the aerospace industry.
8 great technologies
Professor Nefti-Meziani said: “Prime Minister David Cameron described robotics as one of the eight great technologies of the future and one, we believe, will emerge as a powerhouse for the North.
“To fulfil this potential, we need a forum in which to work together and that is what we hope to achieve with the Northern Robotics Network.”
The University has been at the forefront of Robotics since 1987 when it was chosen as the site of the United Kingdom’s National Advanced Robotics Research Centre and has led projects for DEFRA and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Friday’s event, opened by DVC (for Research Professor Nigel Mellors and entitled Powering Productivity included speakers and exhibitors from Siemens, Rolls Royce, ABB, Festo, the National Nuclear Laboratory and more than 30 SMEs.