Smart Hub Lanarkshire is hosting a national webinar in, conjunction with Business Gateway, to help manufacturers across Scotland switch on to the potential of collaborative robots.
The webinar aims to demonstrate how collaborative robots, known as ‘cobots’, can help automate manufacturing processes for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
It will provide insight to moving from manual to cobot-led processes, the kinds of tasks that can be performed by cobots, the costs involved, and potential sources of funding.
This event, which takes place on Friday, September 3, at 10am, is open to manufacturing businesses across Scotland and will feature presentations from: Barry Skea (Smart Hub Lanarkshire), Mark Gray (Universal Robots), Roy and Braden Henderson (SP Automation & Robotics) and Colette McMorrow (Digital Development Loan Fund).
Smart Hub Lanarkshire is a partnership involving North Lanarkshire Council, New College Lanarkshire and the University of Strathclyde and launched virtually in April, with plans to open a robotics and automation training facility at New College Lanarkshire's Motherwell campus later this year.
Business Gateway is Scotland’s national business advice service, offering free support and resources to start-ups and existing businesses.
The manufacturing sector accounts for 11 per cent of Scotland’s economy, with around 9655 manufacturing businesses employing 179,550 people. Over 54 per cent of Scotland’s international exports are from manufacturing, which is valued at £17.6 billion.
Hugh Lightbody, chief officer of Business Gateway's national unit, told Lanarkshire Live : "Key to the future growth of Scotland’s manufacturing sector is the need for SMEs to adapt, adopt and invest in new digital and automated technologies.
"Cobots present a real opportunity for businesses to take small scale learning and investment steps that can ultimately help contribute to significant operating efficiencies and productivity gains."
The upcoming webinar mirrors the breadth of interest already shown in Smart Hub Lanarkshire to date. Since launch, digital events have attracted more than 250 representatives from across Scotland.
"This has included businesses, education establishments, local authorities and regional enterprise initiatives.
To register to attend the webinar, go online; for further details about Smart Hub Lanarkshire, visit here
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