Research and analysis

RTA: Robotics

Published 10 March 2025

Context

Robotics technologies are increasingly capable, varied and deployed in a wide range of sectors and applications. Robots can be found working in manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, healthcare, energy, hospitality and more, from picking fruit to surveying offshore wind turbines.

Technology

Technological advancements such as in artificial intelligence, sensors, materials, batteries and electronics have led to increasingly capable and versatile robotic designs being possible, supporting their use in a wider range of applications. Advanced robots are increasingly able to function autonomously with precision, work together, and be adapted quickly to new tasks or situations.

Future thinking

For the remainder of this decade, it is highly likely that robotics technologies will continue to expand into new sectors and applications, particularly if costs fall and advances continue in areas like dexterity and autonomy. Artificial intelligence is highly likely to be key to unlocking new and improved robotics capabilities such as autonomy in difficult environments.

UK position

The UK boasts a strong robotics R&D environment and produces globally competitive research. The UK is well placed to benefit from the opportunities of more capable and versatile robotics technologies, particularly where it can draw on existing strengths such as in marine, nuclear, medical, and agricultural robotics. However, the UK faces challenges to translate research strengths into commercial success.

Figure 1: ‘205,000 sales of professional service robots in 2023, a yearly increase of 30%’

• 205,000 sales of professional service robots in 2023, a yearly increase of 30%
• UK ranks 1st for research quality in robotics. The UK ranked 3rd globally for early-stage private investment in robotics.

^{Source: International Federation of Robotics; Dimensions & Pitchbook.}

The image above shows a line drawing of a robotic hand which has a square base and three fingers/digits that are movable with circular cogs that attach them to the base. It is accompanied by the text ‘205,000 sales of professional service robots in 2023, a yearly increase of 30%’, referencing the International Federation of Robotics. To the right of that is another line drawing, of a map of the UK with the text: ‘The UK ranks 1st for research quality in Robotics. The UK ranked 3rd globally for early-stage private investment in robotics. Source: Dimensions and Pitchbook.’

Figure 2: Advances in robotics

Dexterity

Manipulation of objects with more care and precision. A continuing challenge to unlock robotics potential.

Sensing

Improvements in tactile sensing allow robots to handle delicate goods.

Flexibility

Soft robots allow flexibility to work in new and challenging environments, as well as improving safety for humans around them.

Control/autonomy

AI is driving advances in autonomy, allowing robots to adapt to new tasks and situations.

Swarm

Multi-agent systems enable tasks that a single robot cannot perform and ensures complex coordination in dynamic environments like logistics.

Size

Additive manufacturing techniques are enabling rapid prototyping and smaller and smaller robot designs.

The above six images are icons corresponding to each of the advances in robotics. Moving left to right, the first is dexterity with a drawing of a robotic hand which has a square base and three fingers/digits that are movable with circular cogs that attach them to the base. Next is a humanoid robot holding a strawberry to represent sensing. Then there is a drawing of a tube with a snake-like robotic hand bending around the tube to show flexibility. Next, a drawing of a robot that is shaped like a box is shown to be underwater fixing a wind turbine to show automation and control. Then there are small circular robots next to each other showing swarm robots. Finally, there is a drawing of a magnifying glass that is zooming in on a small box-like chip to represent size.

Figure 3: What could AI mean for robotics

AI in robotics is not new or essential for every robot. However, researchers are increasingly interested in the potential for recent developments in generative AI and large foundation models, to enhance robotic capability and autonomy.

Sensing and vision

Multi-agent control

Learning and autonomy

System efficiency

Human-machine interaction

The above five drawings depict what AI could mean for robotics. From left to right, a drawing of an eye with a target mark around the iris shows sensing and vision. Then there is a drawing of an open book, which illustrates learning and autonomy. Next to that are two parallel arrows going from the bottom left-hand corner to the top right-hand corner showing system efficiency. Then there are various sizes of circles connected by lines to depict multi-agent control. On the right is a robotic hand shaking hands with a human hand to show human-machine Interaction.

Opportunities

UK Research:

Home to internationally regarded institutions, industry collaborations, and a strong robotics R&D environment, the UK attracts global talent.

Hazardous environments:

An area of UK expertise, for example nuclear decommissioning, where the addition of robots can keep people out of harm’s way.

Agricultural robotics:

Could enhance UK food production, resilience, and mitigate the impact of labour shortages and climate pressures.

Health and social care:

The number of robot-assisted surgeries in the UK is increasing, alongside developing applications for diagnostics and assistance.

Challenges

Commercialisation:

Although the UK has a strong research ecosystem and secures a competitive amount of early-stage private investment, it faces challenges in scaling up innovations.

Global and domestic challenges:

The UK faces rising international competition, supply chain reliance, and domestic issues like finance access, skills, and low adoption rates.

New risks:

The introduction of robots and other cyber-physical infrastructure into new settings can result in new risks while reducing others, such as increasing vulnerability to cyber-attacks while improving workplace safety.

Share your views

Do you have thoughts on the topic? Email us at emtech@go-science.gov.uk.