The European Robotics League, in collaboration with centre:mk and Milton Keynes Council, is set to host the Milton Keynes Smart City Robotics Competition. The international event will take place from Monday 18th to Friday 22nd September at centre:mk and will feature teams from various educational institutions, companies, and laboratories across Europe.
The aim of the competition is to inspire the next generation of robotics enthusiasts by showcasing how robots can solve a range of challenges that support everyday human life. Participants will demonstrate the latest developments in consumer-facing robot technology and highlight the ongoing difficulties in replicating basic human actions with advanced robotic minds.
The European Robotics League, maintained by euRobotics, was established as part of the SciRoc project funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 Programme. The Milton Keynes Smart City Robotics Competition builds on the success of previous SciRoc competitions, including the Smart City event held in Milton Keynes in 2019 and Bologna, Italy in 2021.
The event is free and open to the public, providing an opportunity to witness the latest advancements in technology and observe the robots in action. The hope is that the competition will not only entertain and engage visitors but also encourage them to imagine the positive impact of robotics on society.
Kevin Duffy, Director of centre:mk, expressed excitement about hosting the event and highlighted the importance of innovation and collaboration. He emphasized that while robots can help build a more efficient future, they can never replace humans. Instead, robots can support and aid society in creating a more accessible and efficient environment for all.
Cllr Pete Marland, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, viewed the competition as an opportunity to showcase local talent and highlight Milton Keynes as a forward-thinking smart city. The council is keen to demonstrate the cutting-edge research and development taking place in the area.
Reinhard Lafrenz, Secretary-General of euRobotics, praised the event as a means of bringing robotics and citizens together. He emphasized the challenge of recreating simple human behavior and expressed anticipation to see how the participating teams perform and demonstrate how robots can simplify people’s lives in the future.
The Milton Keynes Smart City Robotics Competition is part of the city’s and centre:mk’s focus on smart city initiatives. Plans are underway to establish the first UK Smart City Experience Centre in Milton Keynes later this year, joining its international counterparts in New York, Singapore, Cairo, and Seoul.
In addition, the UK government announced the inaugural Global Safety Summit, scheduled to be held in Smart City, Milton Keynes, on 1st and 2nd November 2023 at Bletchley Park. The summit aims to convene international governments, leading AI companies, and research experts to discuss and develop a consensus on advancing the safety of AI technology.
As part of the competition’s agenda, a Smart City Robotics Panel Discussion featuring industry and academic figures will take place at Milton Keynes’ Unity Place on 20th September. Chaired by Professor Phil Webb of Cranfield University, the panelists will share insights and experiences, exploring the symbiotic relationship between robotics and smart cities.
For more information, please visit the competition’s website.
Sources:
– European Robotics League (euRobotics)
– Milton Keynes Council
– centre:mk