Monthly Archives: May 2024

The Shadow Hand robotic device was built to withstand collision damage

Shadow Robot Company

A new robot hand provides extremely fast and flexible finger movements, while also being tough enough to survive intense damage. That durability helps the hand, which is already being used in Google DeepMinds robotics experiments, during the trial-and-error learning required to train artificial intelligence.

This latest robotic hand developed by the UK-based Shadow Robot Company can go from fully open to closed within 500 milliseconds and perform a fingertip pinch with up to 10 newtons of force. It can also withstand repeated punishment such as pistons punching the fingers from multiple angles or a person smashing the device with a hammer.

The new hands robust design is well suited for AI-powered robotics experiments based on reinforcement learning, which allows robots to gradually learn how to interact with environments by fumbling through tasks using trial and error, says Ram Ramamoorthy at the University of Edinburgh in the UK.

Any interaction with the world is a collision damage risk, said Rich Walker, director of the Shadow Robot Company, during a press conference.

One trade-off is that the hand is heavier than some other options because the design decisions are aimed at reliability over long-term usage, says Ramamoorthy. The new Shadow Hands chunky, three-fingered set-up weighs 4.1 kilograms in total and 1.2 kilograms per finger.

This structure makes the hand look much less anthropomorphic than some other robotic limbs, but also makes it more versatile: it can be modified with more fingers if needed, and each finger is a modular component that can be swiftly swapped out for a replacement in case of damage.

Each robotic finger has hundreds of sensors on its fingertips and dozens on the other finger segments. Tiny cameras focus on the inside surface of each robotic fingers silicone skin touching an object may deform the robotic skin, and this interior view can thus indicate the objects hardness and shape.

Its excellent in terms of sensing, and its super robust, says Ingmar Posner at the University of Oxford. Its also engineered to be easily fixable.

Some research labs and companies beyond Google DeepMind may find the capable hand to be useful, says Posner. But it is likely to be expensive Shadow Robot Company has not yet announced its price and other researchers may prefer cheaper robotic hand options, even if they lack some or all of the sophisticated sensing and object-handling capabilities that the Shadow Hand combines in one package.

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DeepMind is experimenting with a nearly indestructible robot hand - New Scientist

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Nvidia and Alphabets Intrinsic have teamed up to show off advancements in robotic grasping and industrial scalability.

The companies said that the landscape of robotics will further change with the integration of new AI and platform technologies. At the Automate trade show in Chicago this week, Intrinsic is unveiling advances in robotic grasping and industrial scalability, powered by Nvidias Isaac Manipulator and AI capabilities.

Isaac Manipulator, introduced by Nvidia at GTC 2024 in March, represents a milestone in industrial automation. It comprises foundation models and GPU-accelerated libraries designed to facilitate scalable and repeatable workflows for dynamic manipulation tasks. These foundation models, based on transformer deep learning architecture, enable robots to perceive and make decisions autonomously, akin to human-like understanding.

The collaboration between Nvidia and Intrinsic demonstrates the potential for a universally applicable robotic-grasping skill to work seamlessly across various grippers, environments, and objects. Wendy Tan White, CEO of Intrinsic, highlighted the transformative impact of foundation models in simplifying processing challenges, reducing development costs, and enhancing flexibility for end-users.

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For the broader industry, our work with Nvidia shows how foundation models can have a profound impact, including making todays processing challenges easier to manage at scale, creating previously infeasible applications, reducing development costs, and increasing flexibility for end users, Tan White said in a statement.

(Tan White will deliver a keynote address at Automate about what the rise of AI means for innovation and growth, on Friday, May 9, at 9 a.m. CT.)

The development of better robot grip is a central focus of this partnership. Grasping, a coveted skill in robotics, has historically been challenging to program and scale efficiently. However, with the integration of Nvidia Isaac Sim on the Omniverse platform, Intrinsic has leveraged simulation to generate synthetic data for vacuum grasping, paving the way for significant advancements in industrial automation.

The prototype uses Intrinsic Flowstate, a developer environment for AI-based robotics solutions, for visualizing processes, associated perception and motion planning. With a workflow that includes Isaac Manipulator, one can generate grasp poses and CUDA-accelerated robot motions, which can first be evaluated in simulation with Isaac Sim a cost-saving step before deployment in the real world with the Intrinsic platform.

Nvidia and Intrinsic aim to bring state-of-the-art dexterity and modular AI capabilities to robotic arms, offering a comprehensive collection of foundation models and GPU-accelerated libraries to accelerate new robotics and automation tasks.

On Tuesday, May 7, Nvidia senior research scientist Adithya Murali and Intrinsic chief science officer Torsten Kroeger will demonstrate the companies collaborative efforts in the session Automating Smart Pick-and-Place With Intrinsic Flowstate and NVIDIA Isaac Manipulator at Automate.

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Nvidia and Alphabet's Intrinsic aim to revolutionize next-gen robotics - VentureBeat

Summary

Modern retailers have an incredible opportunity to futureproof their warehouse operations today, with the goal of increasing efficiency to meet this surging consumer demand.

Revenue related to e-commerce will grow nearly 10% YoY between now and 2029, at which point global revenue for e-commerce alone will reach nearly $5 billion yearly. As a frame of reference, thats more than double the e-commerce sales numbers from 2020. Modern retailers have an incredible opportunity to futureproof their warehouse operations today, with the goal of increasing efficiency to meet this surging consumer demand. However, if they dont take action, these same retailers risk labor shortages, increasing labor costs and ultimately falling behind in meeting customer expectations, which will lead to massive losses in market opportunities for their more adept competitors. As they stare down the challenge of growing demand and extended labor shortages, I urge warehouse managers to educate themselves on the benefits of efficient solutions like automation and robotics.

The pandemic and modern consumer behaviors have exposed deep cracks in traditional warehouse operations. E-commerce demand is increasing with no indication of stoppage. Expectations surrounding always-on availability for retail distribution have led many warehouses to improve their efficiency to keep pace with demand. For example, over one-fourth of customers have abandoned their carts because they werent offered free two-day shipping. Satisfying consumers appetite for fast, free shipping requires a well-oiled logistics operation. Simultaneously, most retailers face a massive barrier to success: labor shortages. In 2023, nearly eight in ten industrial business leaders cited notable labor shortages as a recurrent issue in their facilities. Robotic automation has become a powerful method to alleviate the pressing issues of decreasing labor and increasing demand. In fact, many retailers already involve AI-powered and 3D vision-enabled robots in their packing and shipping processes. Automation of this caliber increases outcomes like delivery timelines because robots can safely work 24/7, meeting new consumer demand night and day. Furthermore, retailers who adopt the right robotics model will seldom need to service their robotic co-workers outside of routine maintenance.

The right robotics solution will differ from operation to operation. Furthermore, certain warehouses will attain ROI from automation faster than others. Leaders evaluating automation and robotics in their warehouse should consider the following. 1. Your workflow is unique. Automation should acknowledge that fact, not ignore it. Historically, warehouses have been structured around bipedal, two-armed human workers. These workflows dont always benefit AI-powered robots, which come in various sizes and configurations. Thus, most warehouses must be optimized to compensate for new robotic workflows. Robotic solution providers can walk you through a workflow audit process to ensure optimal robot deployment efficiency. During this process, youll identify the areas and processes where automation can bring value. You may also determine that certain older warehouses wont benefit from automation without additional investment, whereas newer spaces may be perfect for employing robotic co-workers. 2. Long-term ROI should outweigh short-term investments. Sticker shock shouldnt be a reason to delay necessary investments into warehouse automation. If youre grappling with the cost of robotics deployment, consider more scalable models like robotics as a service (RaaS), which enable warehouses to deploy robots without owning the steep cost of regular maintenance. Additionally, if youre experiencing friction when attempting to garner buy-in, consider contextualizing the long-term ROI of automation. This includes labor savings, increased productivity and reduced error rates. Companies have reduced their fulfillment costs by up to 50% after introducing warehouse automation. 3. Certain robots can deploy on day 1but only with the right provider. Some robotics providers enable warehouses to realize ROI on day 1however, only if (1) your warehouse is outfitted for automation and (2) software integration is seamless. I advise seeking providers that integrate within existing warehouse management systems (WMS) and/or existing warehouse control systems (WCS). 4. Not all warehouses will benefit from automation today, and thats OK. Because generalized AI on the warehouse floor remains highly conceptual, practical AI-powered robots are purpose-built for specific tasks. The most common examples in logistics are induction, order picking and de-palletization robots. Albeit generally dextrous and capable, these robots will likely perform better on certain items and tasks than others. For example, operations dealing in incredibly delicate, highly variable or temperature-controlled items may not benefit from a modern robotic automation system. However, robotics providers are making strides in this arena by providing expanded gripper strength and analysis capabilities. I advise that leaders in more specialized industries keep their eyes on these emerging technologies. 5. Humans will never become obsolete in warehouse operations. AI robots on the factory floor will change manufacturing labor models, but only in that extended labor shortages will no longer prohibit factories from hitting their revenue goals. Additionally, current employees must learn new skills to adapt to AI robotics workflows. AI-empowered robots are generally autonomous but not infallible. Imagine an unexpected but common induction mishapfor example, a package ripping open on a conveyor belt. Warehouse robots have been trained on how to react in this situation, but different environmental contexts can complicate otherwise simple decisions. Humans become critical during these events. Remote factory workers with access to a robots live feed can pinpoint the item or situation and provide context enabling the robot to make the most advantageous decision. In some instances, that might mean advising the robot to remove and discard the affected item; in other situations, to replace it. By owning high-level decisions like this, humans help factory operations to remain smooth and incredibly efficient.

As e-commerce demand and expectations continue to fluctuate, retailers and warehouse operators must embrace automation and AI-based solutions. However, they must also acknowledge that automation is never a one-size-fits-all solution. By carefully considering factors such as workflow analysis, long-term ROI, software integration and the suitability of specific robotic solutions, retailers can make informed decisions and drive critical efficiencies on the warehouse floor.

With more than 30 years in the robotics and automation industries, Crystal Parrott, COO of Plus One Robotics, has a history of bringing emerging technologies to market. Previously, Crystal served as the Vice President of the Robotics Center of Excellence for Dematic Corp, where she led all robotic initiatives and guided and supported the generation of robotic solution sales in the logistic market. Prior to joining Dematic in 2018, Crystal spent 11 years leading the development of advanced robotics technology and promoting it to create new businesses at Southwest Research Institute. Crystal holds a Master of Science in Management of Technology from the University of Texas at San Antonio as well as a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University.

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Five Things to Consider Before Adopting Robotics for Warehouse Automation - Automation.com

KENDALLVILLE Sir Camelot, a robot designed, built and operated by East Noble High Schools First Robotics Team 8103, showed off its capabilities in a May 3 demonstration at the Community Learning Center for local business and industry leaders.

First Robotics Competition teams design, program and build industrial-size robots according to a strict set of rules and limited time and resources in a real-world engineering project.

Knight Team 8103 members are Benjamin Barker, Braden Golsnerry. Eduarado Gonzalez, Zackery Leichty, Anabel Martin, Bryce Millhouse, Mason Monahan, Jared Price, Kian Ross, Reese Rouch, Joseph Savage, Owen Tackett, Sean Valles, Gunner Willey, Warren Ritchie, Carter McKinley and Ailey Odem.

Mentors are Collin Haynes and Tucker Martin. The team is coached by Shawn Kimmel, the Project Lead The Way engineering and physics teacher at East Noble High School, and Jo Smith, the East Noble Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Sir Camelot is named after one of King Arthurs Knights of the Round Table. The student team members had to design, fabricate and build the robot from scratch to compete in several robotics competitions. The robot is about 3 feet square, very heavy, and designed to pick up a hoop from the floor and launch it toward the target.

The Knight 8103 team painted Sir Camelot in East Nobles blue and gold school colors to make it stand out on the competition floor.

Sir Camelot performed well this season. Team 8103 finished in third place at the Mishawaka Competition with a state ranking of fifth. At the Columbus Competition, the team finished in 10th place with a state ranking of 17th.

Sir Camelot had its best performance at the Indiana state competition, with the team finishing in fifth place with a state ranking of 14th.

Team members put together a highlight video and slide show to open the demonstration. Team coach Kimmel said the Knight robotics program started in 2020 with a budget of $9,000, which had to cover the cost of the robot, competition fees and lodging for the team.

We had six in the first class and we had no experience, Kimmel said.

The team, participated in a video competition in 2021 during the pandemic. By 2023, all of the original team members had graduated.

In the years since, Kimmel said the team has improved with more experience and more guidance from former team members, now in college, returning to mentor the current team members. The team absorbed knowledge by talking with others, and are now viewed as true state competitors who are sought out by other teams for mentoring.

Its an all-new group of students in 2024. Kimmel said robotics has guided students into thinking about careers in engineering. This years senior members are considering Trine University, Marian University Rose-Hulman Institute and Southern Indiana University as places to further their education.

Robots can cost as much as $10,000 to $15,000. Team members have to learn coding to program the robot, and fabricate or order parts for the design-and-build. They learn to design and assemble the electrical system and use impact and other tools

Team 8103s future goals include forming a second robotics team and increasing the program budget to $50,000 through donations, more sponsorships and fundraising. The program also needs new computers. East Noble School Corporation is providing a second classroom to expand the robotics program but does not provide any funding.

Donations are gratefully accepted for the program, and sponsors are welcome. A golf outing on Saturday, Aug 31, at Noble Hawk Golf Links will help the robotics program raise funds for its budget. Sponsorship levels for the outing are: Blue Knight, $1,000; Gold Knight, $550; Black Knight, $450; and White Knight, $150.

Each sponsorship level includes the registration for a team of four golfers for 18 holes, and recognition in several ways. Contact Kimmel at skimmel@eastnoble.net for sponsorship information or golf outing registration form.

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EN robotics team demonstrates real-world learning | News Sun | kpcnews.com - KPCnews.com

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. Five years after a shooting claimed the life of 18-year-old robotics team member Kendrick Castillo at STEM School Highlands Ranch, the robotics team continues to carry on his legacy.

He was a man that was full of laughter and jokes. He made us all feel welcome and happy, Dakota Mann, who is an alumni at STEM School Highlands Ranch and coach for Team Impulse, told Denver7 recently. It was just before the end of the semester. And he was telling me all about how he couldn't wait to come back and mentor. And if things had gone differently, he would probably be in this chair for the 10th anniversary instead of me.

Maria Castillo via Instagram

On May 7, 2019, 18-year-old Kendrick Castillocharged at a fellow student who pulled out a gun in their STEM School Highlands Ranch classroom. In the altercation, Castillo died disarming the gunman, saving the lives of his classmates.

We're reaching a moment where a lot of the students on the team didn't have a chance to meet him, didn't know him in person, these events, for the most part are in the past for them. But while they don't know Kendrick by name, they know him in spirit. There's a lot of elements of the team that have been passed down from Kendrick that we have all upheld. And a lot of that is our team culture, being kind to one another, enjoying the work we do, taking pride in the work that we accomplish, Mann said.

Richard Butler

All of the current students on the robotics team did not personally know Kendrick. However, they know who he was, and they remember what he stood for every day they come to school.

Kendrick, definitely united our community to a level that it had never been before, Team Impulse member Eknara Dassanayake said. He definitely gave us all something to strive towards, something that we should actively pursue. He was an amazing role model and he still is. And genuinely, I feel like us as a robotics community hold him to such a high standard. And we genuinely want to do better for him to continue his legacy.

Castillo was known to love his Jeep that he drove to school. To honor him, the STEM school reserves his parking spot, and no one can park there. Added to his parking spot are Jeep tire tracks.

Richard Butler

The deep tracks show that he's always still here for us supporting us and helping us go higher further and faster, Team Impulse member Dylan Moran said. A big part of Kendrick's legacy on this team was the space he left behind for students in which no matter how you competing in a competition, no matter if you're struggling on an assignment or anything, you always see people always willing to help each other.

In the 10 years that Team Impulse has been operating, they have had many accomplishments including almost doubling in membership.

When I started in high school, of course, I wasn't thinking about the fact that I'd still be here 10 years later, but really, 10 years has felt like nothing, Mann said. I had a lot of dedicated mentors that volunteered their time to help make me who I am today. I wanted to provide the same experience for the next generation of students that was provided towards me.

Richard Butler

In their most recent regional competition in Colorado, they competed against nearly 50 other teams and won the Woody Flowers Award, which recognizes outstanding mentorship. They also won the Excellence in Engineering Award, which recognizes performance and team organization.

If you are a student in the Highlands Ranch area and are interested in robotics, Team Impulse is looking to further expand their membership. You can visit their website for more information.

STEM robotics team celebrates 10-years and remembers hero who saved lives

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STEM robotics team celebrates 10 years and remembers hero who saved lives - Denver 7 Colorado News

Summary

Intrinsic, a software and AI robotics company at Alphabet, has integrated NVIDIA AI and Isaac platform technologies to advance the complex field of autonomous robotic manipulation.

Intrinsic, a software and AI robotics company at Alphabet, has integrated NVIDIA AI and Isaac platform technologies to advance the complex field of autonomous robotic manipulation.

This week at the Automate trade show, in Chicago, Intrinsic is spotlighting leaps in robotic grasping and industrial scalability assisted by foundation models enabled by NVIDIA Isaac Manipulator, unlocking new value in industrial automation with AI.

NVIDIAunveiled Isaac Manipulatorat GTC in March.Isaac Manipulatoris a collection of foundation models and modular GPU-accelerated libraries that help industrial automation companies build scalable and repeatable workflows for dynamic manipulation tasks by accelerating AI model training and task reprogramming.

Foundation modelsare based on atransformerdeep learning architecture that allows a neural network to learn by tracking relationships in data. Theyre generally trained on huge datasets and can be used to process and understand sensor and robot information as magically as ChatGPT for text. This enables robot perception and decision-making like never before and provides zero-shot learningthe ability to perform tasks without prior examples.

NVIDIAs collaboration with Intrinsic, a leading robotics software and AI company, demonstrates the potential for a universally applicable robotic-grasping skill to work across grippers, environments and objects.

For the broader industry, our work with NVIDIA shows how foundation models can have a profound impact, including making todays processing challenges easier to manage at scale, creating previously infeasible applications, reducing development costs, and increasing flexibility for end users, said Wendy Tan White, CEO at Intrinsic,in a blog postannouncing the collaboration with NVIDIA. (White will deliver a keynote address at Automate about what the rise of AI means for innovation and growth, on Thursday, May 9, at 7 a.m. PT.)

Grasping has been a long sought after robotics skill. So far its been time-consuming, expensive to program and difficult to scale. As a result, many repetitive pick-and-place conditions havent been seamlessly handled to date by robots.

Simulation is changing that. EnlistingNVIDIA Isaac Simon theNVIDIA Omniverseplatform, Intrinsic generatedsynthetic datafor vacuum grasping using computer-aided design models of sheet metal and suction grippers. This allowed Intrinsic to create a prototype for its customerTrumpf Machine Tools, a leading maker of industrial machine tools.

The prototype uses IntrinsicFlowstate, a developer environment for AI-based robotics solutions, for visualizing processes, associated perception and motion planning. With a workflow that includes Isaac Manipulator, one can generate grasp poses and CUDA-accelerated robot motions, which can first be evaluated in simulation with Isaac Sima cost-saving stepbefore deployment in the real world with the Intrinsic platform.

Under the collaboration, NVIDIA and Intrinsic plan to bring state-of-the-art dexterity and modular AI capabilities for robotic arms, with a robust collection of foundation models and GPU-accelerated libraries to accelerate a greater number of new robotics and automation tasks.

On Tuesday, May 7, at 11 a.m. CT, NVIDIA Senior Research Scientist Adithya Murali and Intrinsic Chief Science Officer Torsten Kroeger will demonstrate the companies work in the session Automating Smart Pick-and-Place With Intrinsic Flowstate and NVIDIA Isaac Manipulator in the Intrinsic booth 2808 at Automate.Joinourspeaking sessionsat Automate

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NVIDIA and Alphabet's Intrinsic Put Next-Gen Robotics Within Grasp - Automation.com

The James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence, inaugurated on Feb. 27, 2023, is advancing AI research and education at San Diego State University.

With a $5 million grant from the Brown Foundation, the center has established research initiatives and practical learning experiences, utilizing advanced AI tools such as robots like Pepper and Bernard.

These initiatives, ranging from robotic-assisted therapy for children with bipolar disorder, not only demonstrate AIs real-world applications but also provoke discussions on its broader societal and ethical implications, according to an SDSU News report.

Pepper, one of these robots, plays a crucial role at the center by engaging in conversations with humans and providing assistance.

At the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence at SDSU, I assist researchers by interacting with study participants and collecting data, Pepper said. I also provide visitors with information about the center and myself.

A recent significant upgrade has enhanced Peppers interaction ability, allowing for more effective communication and data collection.

I can now better understand and respond to a wider range of topics, recognize emotions in human voices and adjust my responses to make conversations more natural, Pepper said.

Aaron Elkins, the director of the center, has a rich background in AI, particularly in interviewing technologies and social robotics. Elkins provided insights into the transition of the centers operations into a broader academic and research initiative.

As we transitioned to a center, our scope expanded significantly, Elkins said. Were not just focused on research and grants but also on enhancing educational programs.

Elkins emphasized new educational efforts at the center, including a novel AI course he designed for undergraduates, which updates the curriculum to reflect advancements in AI and enhances accessibility for students.

Pepper discussed the benefits of AI in education, underscoring its ability to provide personalized learning through intelligent tutoring systems that adapt to individual student needs.

At SDSU, this technology is applied across various educational settings to enhance learning outcomes.

Highlighting their community-oriented approach, Elkins also spoke about how the center actively engages with local institutions to address public health needs.

Our research includes health studies in partnership with local institutions like Sharp (Healthcare), Elkins said. Were working on using social robots as therapeutic aids, which could support individuals in areas with limited access to clinical services.

Sharp HealthCare is a healthcare system in San Diego known for its comprehensive medical services.

Elkins also spoke about the centers application of AI to address specific health challenges, including a project designed to provide continuous care for children with bipolar disorder outside of hospital settings.

These educational and research initiatives bridge the gap between theoretical studies and practical AI applications, preparing students for a future where AI is central across various fields.

Bernard, another advanced AI robot at the center, shared insights into its capabilities.

I am capable of engaging in human conversation, answering questions and providing information on various topics related to my programming, Bernard said. I can also navigate the center using my two legs, observe my surroundings with my two eyes and manipulate objects with my two arms.

Bernard highlighted its limitations compared to humans, noting that it cannot experience emotions or make decisions based on personal experiences.

Despite these limitations, Bernard demonstrated a sense of humor by sharing a light-hearted joke.

Why do robots never get lost in the city? Because they always follow the GPS straight away, Bernard said.

For more details on the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence and updates on Pepper and Bernard, follow their Instagram.

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Meet Pepper and Bernard: The robots shaping AI research at SDSU - Daily Aztec

Students in West Cumbria have been tasked by the Robotics and AI Collaboration (RAICo) and the Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) to design and build robots which will be showcased at a major robotics and artificial intelligence (RAI) industry event. Students aged 16 to 18 from West Lakes Academy and the Energy Coast University Technical College (UTC) are taking part in the challenge, with the aim of each school developing a small robot capable of transporting a mock nuclear waste barrel. The four-week sprint challenge is designed to encourage creativity, innovation and an enthusiasm for science and technology, focusing on RAI. Participants will demonstrate their new skills through showcasing their robots at the Harnessing Robotics and AI for Challenging Environments event to be held at Energus, Lillyhall, Cumbria on 21st May 2024. The RAICo-supported event, designed to showcase the regions RAI capability, is a chance for the students to network with industry professionals, listen to keynote speeches and find out about opportunities in the sector before they embark on their careers. The decommissioning waste challenge will incorporate coding, engineering and creativity skills, creating a stand-out point for university or apprenticeship applications. The task replicates real-world challenges within the nuclear fission and fusion decommissioning industry. RAICo is a collaboration between the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd and the University of Manchester. The collaboration is accelerating the deployment of robotics and AI in nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering. iSH, based in West Cumbria, works on delivering programmes that bring together industry, SMEs, academia, national bodies, research facilitiesand community to deliver growth and regeneration opportunities. Representatives from iSH and RAICo are visiting the students at West Lakes Academy and the Energy Coast University Technical College (UTC) once a week for four weeks, offering guidance and a chance to build relationships with industry professionals. It comes as part of a commitment to make a positive difference to Cumbrias social and economic climate.

Sophie Finlinson, project manager at RAICo who has led the development of the challenge, said: "This educational outreach initiative offers practical exposure to students interested in STEM subjects. It could represent a pivotal step in someones journey towards a successful career in our industry. Were excited to see the robots take shape." Hannah Pears, education liaison officer at iSH, is visiting the schools, along with engineers from RAICo, to support the students and prepare them for their presentations. She said: Who knows what exciting outcomes this could lead to? These students are engaging in a unique opportunity where they can demonstrate their skills, ask questions to industry experts, and gain experience that will look amazing on their CV. The challenge encompasses the emerging technologies that will revolutionise industries in West Cumbria and beyond, and will show young people that there are opportunities to be part of something innovative right on their doorstep. This is RAICos first collaboration with schools in West Cumbria. The collaboration will use effective community engagement to develop its socio-economic impact strategy with the aim to engage many more schools and colleges to inspire future industry professionals.

RAICo is a collaboration between the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd and the University of Manchester. The collaboration is accelerating the deployment of robotics and AI in nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering. Through the use of robotics and AI, RAICo helps remove people from harmful environments across the nuclear sector, achieving safer, faster and more cost-effective Solutions. RAICos teams operate from all over the UK, and are situated in the North-West of England, including Whitehaven, Warringtonand Manchester, and in Oxford. RAICo1 is the first in a series of robotics and AI collaboration facilities across the UK and is based in Whitehaven in Cumbria. RAICo is open to engaging with governments, academia, industry, supply chain companies, SMEsand communities to ensure its work achieves maximum impact.

iSH (Industrial Solutions Hub) delivers programmes that build on West Cumbrias nuclear heritage, expanding its technical capability, developing a regional industrial cluster and showcasing it to the world. The iSH Enterprise Campus (iEC) at Cleator Moor, Cumbria will include a solutions hub where businesses in the region will be able to collaborate and work with other specialist companies from around the UK and the rest of the world. iSH is supported in its activity by funding from Cleator Moor Town Deal Board which, working with Copeland Borough Council, secured a provisional offer of 22.5 million from the Governments 3.6 billion Towns Fund initiative in 2022. Significant match funding sums have also been pledged by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd, and the Copeland Community Fund. Further contributions have been made by Cumberland Council, the former Copeland Borough Council and Cleator Moor Town Council.

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Future Innovators Challenged to Design Nuclear Fission and Fusion Decommissioning Robots - Automation.com