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Why doesn’t the UK
make more Robots?

Understanding the barriers to manufacturing robots in the UK and how to overcome them.

“As a former Business Minister and lifelong champion of British manufacturing, I believe robotics and automation are vital to unlocking the UK’s full potential for growth and competitiveness. This report is a clear signal and a blueprint for action”.

Lord Harrington of Watford, Chair – Make UK

View the Executive Summary
21529-Leeds-University-UK-Robots-Whitepaper-Nov25-v2-1-cover
Photograph courtesy of Labman Automation Ltd
Photograph courtesy of Labman Automation Ltd

“Britain has world-class researchers and innovators, but we too often stop short of turning that brilliance into world-class production”

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Authors

Real Robotics, University of Leeds. Expert in real-world robotic systems operating in the diverse environments of air, land, and underwater.

Professor Robert Richardson

Real Robotics, University of Leeds.
Expert in real-world robotic systems operating in the diverse environments of air, land, and underwater.
Connect with Rob
Real Robotics, University of Leeds. Community Engagement Manager focussed on the academic-industry interface.

Dr Sarah Field

Real Robotics, University of Leeds.
Community Engagement Manager focussed on the academic-industry interface.
Connect with Sarah
Innovation Lead: Robotics and Sensors, Innovate UK.Expert in the use of robotics for economic growth and societal benefit

Jonathan Walker

Innovation Lead: Robotics and Sensors, Innovate UK.
Expert in the use of robotics for economic growth and societal benefit
Connect with Jonathan
Serial Entrepreneur. C-Suite Consultant and Advisor to UK and Scottish Governments on AgTech and Robotics.

Ben Scott-Robinson

Serial Entrepreneur.
C-Suite Consultant and Advisor to UK and Scottish Governments on AgTech and Robotics.
Connect with Ben
Reader in Robotics and Design Intelligence, Royal College of Art. Expert in robotics in high-risk industrial environments, Director of Circular Robot 5.0.

Dr Sina Sareh

Reader in Robotics and Design Intelligence, Royal College of Art.
Expert in robotics in high-risk industrial environments, Director of Circular Robot 5.0.
Connect with Sina
University of Birmingham. Globally recognised authority in AI and robotics, Director of RESCu-M2.

Professor Samia Nefti-Meziani OBE

University of Birmingham.
Globally recognised authority in AI and robotics, Director of RESCu-M2.
Connect with Samia

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Contact for media enquiries:

Dr Sarah Field

Please reference this work as:
Robert Richardson, Sarah Field, Jonathan Walker, Ben Scott-Robinson, Sina Sareh, Samia Nefti-Meziani (2025): Why doesn’t the UK make more Robots? White Rose Libraries. DOI: 10.48785/100/376.
“Why doesn’t the UK make more Robots?” is licenced under CC BY 4.0.

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Make More Robots white paper.

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