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Overview & Heritage

  • The Centre for Robotics Research (CORE) was initiated within Department of Engineering from 2007. It has been reinstated within the new Engineering department from 2019.
  • So far, the Centre has hosted over 500 academics, postdoc and PhD researchers, visiting and professional staff, with diverse background in electrical, computer, mechanical, biomedical and space engineering.
  • The Centre members have carried out R&D funded by UKRI, EU, RAEng, RS, UKSA, ESA as well as companies from manufacturing, automotive, food, healthcare and space sectors, and contributed to research programs worth £30m+.
  • We collaborate worldwide with 100+ partners from academia and industry in Europe, America, Asia-Pacific and Africa.
  • The Centre members have received numerous inter/national recognitions for research excellence including awards by IEEE, IMechE, COSPAR, ASME and UK-RAS, and fellowships of IET, RAeS, EC and EPSRC, etc.

Research Expertise

  • The Centre offers expertise in major cross-cutting topics in robotics research:
    • Sensing & Perception
    • Design, Simulation & Mechatronics
    • Mechanisms & Structures
    • Control & Autonomy
    • Learning & Intelligence
    • Human-Robot Interaction
  • The Centre currently has 9 full-time academic staff, demonstrating synergies, capabilities, and strengths across robotics area.
  • The Centre undertakes interdisciplinary approach and aims for sustainable goals in our R&D, engaging with wider expertise in materials, informatics, ethics, policy, and medicine.

Research Facilities

  • The Centre offers a dedicated lab space (>350m2) for robotics research, as part of a £40m capital investment in the Engineering department, located in central London.
  • Our robotics lab offers a range of state-of-the art equipment and testbeds required for robotics validation and demonstration.
    • Various commercial robotic platforms, from legged, wheeled to humanoid robots.
    • Unique or bespoke designed robotic testbeds for industrial use cases, such as Orbital Robotics Testbed, Tactile Robotics Testbed, and Subsurface Robotics Testbed.

Our Vision Statement

CORE strives to drive progress, foster creativity, and shape a future where robotics positively transforms our world”- Head of CORE, Professor Yang Gao

  • Enabling Sustainable Solutions: Our research advances the robotics and autonomous systems that contribute to sustainable practices across industries, from manufacturing, space to healthcare.
  • Innovating Ethical Robotics: We commits to ethical considerations, researching robotics with a focus on responsibility, transparency, and inclusivity.
  • Interdisciplinary Excellence: We aim to lead in interdisciplinary research, fostering collaborations that transcend traditional boundaries and amplify the impact of robotic advancements.
  • Empowering Future Innovators: Through cutting-edge educational programs (such as CORE-led MSc and PhD in Robotics), we aspire to empower the next generation of robotics leaders, equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to tackle future challenges.
  • Global Thought Leadership: We envision our research & educational initiatives contributing to global thought leadership in robotics, influencing the discourse and shaping the trajectory of this dynamic field.
Kinba robot