UKAEA to lead the creation of a nuclear robotics and AI cluster linking Cumbria and Oxfordshire

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) will lead the creation of a new £4.9m nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence cluster across Cumbria and Oxfordshire.

The robotics and AI cluster was announced by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) as one of seven new projects to kickstart economic growth and address regional needs: www.ukri.org/news/research-and-innovation-clusters-to-boost-uk-regional-growth/

Nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence (RAI) cluster

The robotics and AI cluster will link Cumbria and Oxfordshire to accelerate the decommissioning of the UK’s legacy nuclear fission facilities and keep people out of hazardous environments.

Led by UKAEA, the cluster 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 will enable regional growth, create and retain jobs, and help establish the UK as the international lead in nuclear innovation, a US$1 trillion industry.

Led by UK Atomic Energy Authority

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

Dr Kirsty Hewitson, Director of RAICo (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration), at UKAEA, said: “As part of our mission to bring fusion energy to the grid, UKAEA hosts the UK’s largest nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence group, with the ability to design, build, and operate robotics for extreme industrial environments.

“This new robotics and AI cluster provides an opportunity for UKAEA to leverage our expertise, in collaboration with other consortium partners, wider academia and industry, to develop innovative robotics and AI solutions for nuclear fission and fusion energy decommissioning and adjacent sectors.

“UKAEA welcomes this support from UKRI and we look forward to working with university and civic partners to drive research and development that delivers real economic and social impact to Cumbria and Oxfordshire.”

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
• generate £22.5m in leveraged funding

This impact is expected to continue beyond the four-year duration of the award.

Next steps

UKAEA will lead the establishment of the new RAI cluster, supported by consortium partners, the Universities of Cumbria, Oxford and Manchester. Research support is provided by two of the UK’s leading RAI universities: Universities of Oxford and Manchester. Through this programme, the University of Cumbria will develop further research capabilities and establish themselves as the regional RAI technology lead in Cumbria.

More information will be released in Spring 2025 when the cluster will be officially launched.