A new ‘Centre of Excellence’ for robotics could be built in Salford as part of the city’s plans for a new high-tech 'innovation district'.
The University of Salford has applied to create the new centre at the Crescent, where students would work with small and medium-sized businesses to test, and pilot projects.
Students would also help businesses bring the latest technology into their workplaces.
Their plans would see the existing Technology House building demolished to make way for the new centre.
Plans include robotics and manufacturing labs, as well as teaching spaces.
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In documents sent to the council’s planning panel, the university lays out some its areas of expertise, which include food and healthcare technology, as well as supply chain improvements.
In the food sector, the university has been researching technology for the production line, including sandwich packaging, slicing tomatoes and pet food production lines.
The hub would also include robotics for intelligent infrastructure and digital automation.
The building forms part of the university and Salford council’s £800m ‘masterplan’ for the area around the Crescent.
The masterplan is split into five separate districts, with the robotics centre falling into the city's 'innovation district' - the new employment centre which has a focus on high-tech investment.
The university hopes that - if planning permission is granted - the robotics centre will act as a ‘catalyst project’ for the development zone, attracting other high tech employers to the area and providing Salford with a ‘competitive advantage over other cities within the region’.
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