The Scottish Government has announced a £321 million investment in enterprise agencies supporting emerging technologies, including AI and robotics, signalling a major push to transform Scotland’s role in the global robotics industry.
This substantial funding commitment comes at a critical time, as the global robotics technology market is projected to reach £223 billion by 2032. However, the UK currently lags behind other G7 nations in robotics adoption, with just 119 robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees.
Stewart Miller, CEO of the National Robotarium, emphasised the significance of this investment. He commented: “This £321 million investment from the Scottish Government to support emerging tech represents a critical step in securing Scotland’s position at the forefront of the global robotics revolution.”
The funding aims to build a complete robotics manufacturing ecosystem in Scotland, addressing the current gap between innovation and production. Miller explained, “To fully realise the economic potential of robotics, we must move beyond being merely excellent innovators to become manufacturers at scale.”
Key initiatives proposed include:
- Developing robust infrastructure to accelerate robotics adoption across public and private sectors
- Creating dedicated spaces and equipment for robotics startups
- Establishing hands-on training facilities to build the future workforce
- Implementing the “Deeptech Supercluster” model to provide crucial expertise during early production phases
The economic impact of this investment could be substantial. Beyond creating direct manufacturing jobs and boosting exports, a robust robotics industry is expected to drive productivity improvements across various sectors and attract international investment.
As Scotland positions itself to become a global leader in robotics manufacturing, Miller concluded:
“The future of robotics will be written somewhere. With the right investments and commitment to building a complete manufacturing ecosystem, it can be written here in Scotland.”
