University of Cumbria’s central role in new £4.9 million nuclear robotics and AI cluster

Awarded £4.9 million, the cluster is the largest of seven new research projects supported through an overall funding package of £22 million. This is from the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme to strengthen emerging and existing research and innovation clusters, to kickstart economic growth and address regional needs.

This project focuses on developing robotics and AI technology to accelerate the decommissioning of the country’s nuclear legacy. It will connect academia with the supply chain. There will be commercial opportunities from cross-sector engagement and spin-out company formation that will attract investment with significant potential for knowledge and technology transfer between the areas.

The cluster expects to:

• Create 200 business opportunities.
• Establish 10 spin-out companies.
• Generate 200 new jobs.
• Engage 5,000 people in cluster-driven events.

University of Cumbria’s pro vice chancellor (research and knowledge exchange), Professor Zulf Ali, commented: “An important part of our university’s mission is to support the economy within our region. We are delighted to be contributing to this critically important project that will lead to advances in nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence.”

The academic lead at University of Cumbria, Professor Jill Stewart said: “The project identifies University of Cumbria as a key regional transformational institution. I am looking forward to further collaborations with the highly esteemed project partners to address systemic challenges in developing and adopting new technology.

“We have plans to generate £22.5 million of leveraged funding over the life of the project, with impact expected to continue beyond its four-year duration, and this will benefit all business sectors and supply chains from major industry to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with emphasis on innovation, competitiveness, resilience and employability.”

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) will lead the cluster, as announced by UKRI.

UKAEA is the UK’s national laboratory for the development of fusion energy.

At a local impact, the nuclear RAI cluster aims to help create 200 business opportunities, establish 10-spin out companies, generate 200 new jobs, engage 5,000 people in cluster-driven events, deliver 25 licensing deals, and generate £22.5m in leveraged funding.

The University of Cumbria is particularly grateful to local partners who supported this project, including NDA, Sellafield, Morgan Sindall, PAR Systems, ARUP, Electech Innovation Cluster, React Engineering, Co Lab, Like Technologies, BECBC, Delkia, Forsberg, iSH, Createc, Team Barrow (Westmorland and Furness Council and BAE Systems), Cumberland Council, and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.