The U.K. government announced on Sunday that it planned to invest £26.6 million ($33.63 million) in infrastructure maintenance robots.
The new micro robots will be built to repair the United Kingdom’s huge underground pipe network, significantly cutting the disruption caused by the 1.5 million road excavations that take place every year.
“From deploying robots in our pipe network so cutting down traffic delays, to using robots in workplaces to keep people safer, this new technology could change the world we live in for the better. Experts in our top U.K. universities across the country are well-equipped to develop this innovative new technology,” said Chris Skidmore, Minister for Science.
Scientists from four British universities will use £7 million ($9 million) of government investment to develop 1 cm-long robotic devices that use sensors and navigation systems to find and mend cracks in pipes. The traffic closures and disruption to businesses of these roadworks is estimated to amount to more than £5 billion ($6.3 billion). A further 14 projects backed by £19.6 million ($24.8 million) government investment, through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), will see robots sent to hazardous workplaces such as offshore wind-farms and nuclear decommissioning facilities. Researchers will test new technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence software on satellites in orbit to detect when repairs are needed, and drones for oil pipeline monitoring.
“The projects announced today demonstrate how robots and artificial intelligence will revolutionize the way we carry out complex and dangerous tasks, from maintaining offshore wind farms to decommissioning nuclear power facilities,” said Professor Sir Mark Walport, U.K. research and innovation (UKRI) chief executive. “They also illustrate the leading role that the U.K.’s innovators are playing in developing these new technologies which will improve safety and boost productivity and efficiency.”
The £26.6 million ($33.63 million) government funding boost is part of the modern industrial strategy, investing in the technologies of tomorrow and creating high-skilled jobs across the country. The United Kingdom already develops world-leading robotics technologies, and these projects delivered by U.K. research and innovation will help make this a sector for U.K. businesses to grow and dominate international markets.
