The European Robotics League, in partnership with centre:mk and Milton Keynes Council, will be hosting the Milton Keynes Smart City Robotics Competition from September 18th to 22nd. This international competition will bring together teams from universities, colleges, companies, and laboratories across Europe to showcase their robots and inspire the next generation.
Taking place in centre:mk, located in the heart of Milton Keynes, one of the UK’s fastest growing Smart Cities, the competition aims to highlight the latest developments in consumer-facing robotics technology. The teams will demonstrate how their robots can solve various challenges designed to support everyday human life.
The European Robotics League is maintained by euRobotics, the European robotics association for industry and research. The competition builds on the success of previous events under the SciRoc project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 Programme. This includes a Smart City event in Milton Keynes in 2019 and Bologna, Italy in 2021.
The Milton Keynes Smart City Robotics Competition encourages members of the public to attend and witness the latest in technology. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the robots in action and be inspired by their capabilities. The event aims to showcase innovation, collaboration, and the positive impact of robotics on society.
Kevin Duffy, Director of centre:mk, stated that Milton Keynes serves as an ideal backdrop for this international event. He emphasized the importance of robotics as a positive force for good, enhancing society’s accessibility and efficiency while highlighting that robots cannot replace people.
Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, expressed excitement about showcasing local talent and demonstrating Milton Keynes’ forward-thinking smart city status. The city looks forward to presenting its cutting-edge research and development to industry experts.
Reinhard Lafrenz, Secretary-General of euRobotics, emphasized the significance of the competition in showcasing the vibrant field of robotics, particularly in Smart Cities. He acknowledged that while robots can perform many tasks, recreating simple human behavior remains a challenge. The competition provides an opportunity to see how the participating teams tackle this and simplify people’s lives.
The Smart City Robotics Competition aligns with Milton Keynes’ smart city focus, as the city plans to host the first UK Smart City Experience Centre. Additionally, the UK government announced the first Global Safety Summit, to be held in Smart City, Milton Keynes, in November. This summit aims to bring together international governments, leading AI companies, and research experts to discuss global safety measures for AI technology.
As part of the competition, a Smart City Robotics Panel Discussion will take place at Unity Place, featuring prominent figures from the industry and academia. The panelists will share their insights and experiences regarding the symbiotic relationship between robotics and smart cities.
The Milton Keynes Smart City Robotics Competition promises to be an exciting and educational event, showcasing the potential of robotics and inspiring future generations to pursue innovation in this field.
Sources:
– European Robotics League: https://eu-robotics.net/eurobotics/activities/european-robotics-league/