The Robotics & Automation Theatre will feature both case-study presentations from exhibitors focussing on the benefits delivered by their products along with seminars from industry thought-leaders and experts on the latest trends and developments in the robotics and automation market.

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10:00 – 10:20
  1. 20 mins
    “Automation Failed To Save us” - What Global Supply Chains Must Fix Before Robots and AI Can Deliver Anything
    • Why most automation programmes fail long before any robot arrives
    • How to prepare planning, data, and operating models so automation can actually scale
    • The leadership blueprint for delivering automation that improves service, cost, and resilience 
    Speakers
    Richard Brentnall +
    Richard Brentnall Group Logistics Director - Nomad Foods
10:20 – 10:40
  1. 20 mins
    Designing Resilient, Scalable & Intelligent Fulfilment Operations
    • Automation as a Strategic Lever, Not a Cost Tool
    • The Rise of the Intelligent Warehouse
    • The Structural Shifts Reshaping Warehousing
    Speakers
    Ben Rose +
    Ben Rose Solutions Consultancy Manager - LogisteX
10:40 – 11:00
  1. 20 mins
    From Process Automation to Intelligent Automation: Why Most Organisations Get It Wrong

     

    • Why many automation initiatives may fail to scale
    • When intelligent automation adds real value
    • Scaling automation responsibly
    Speakers
    Promise Akwaowo +
    Promise Akwaowo Process Automation Analyst - Royal Mail
11:00 – 11:20
  1. 20 mins
    Beyond Robotics: Lean Thinking In Complex Aerospace Industry
    • Understand why process stability must precede robotics deployment 
    • Gain insight into practical production challenges 
    • Apply lean ways of thinking to deliver measurable and sustainable value
    Speakers
    Moe Sufian +
    Moe Sufian Robotics & Automation Engineer - Airbus
11:20 – 11:40
  1. 20 mins
    How Innovate UK Drives Robotics Adoption: Funding, Ecosystem Building and Industry Engagement

    • Funding opportunities available through Innovate UK for robotics and automation

    • How challenge-led innovation links real industry needs with developer solutions

    • How companies can engage with Innovate UK’s programmes, testbeds and wider innovation ecosystem

    Speakers
    Agnes Wamagui +
    Agnes Wamagui Knowledge Transfer Manager - Robotics - InnovateUK
11:40 – 12:00
  1. 20 mins
    Automation as a Growth Engine: Turning Logistics into Competitive Advantage in E-commerce
    • Automation Is Not About Storage. It’s About Control
    • Integrated Systems Outperform Isolated Technologies
    • Scalability Must Be Designed — Not Assumed
    Speakers
    Alex Christopher +
    Alex Christopher Automation Sales Manager - Mecalux
12:00 – 12:40
  1. 40 mins
    Lunch
12:40 – 13:00
  1. 20 mins
    AI-Driven Perception and Learning in Uncertain and Dynamic Environments

    • Modelling perception and decision-making under uncertainty in AI systems

    • Learning and adaptation mechanisms for dynamic robotic environments

    • Translating cognitive-inspired AI models into practical robotics applications

    Speakers
    Farhad Aghayev +
    Farhad Aghayev PhD Researcher - University of Edinburgh
13:00 – 13:20
  1. 20 mins
     Out-of-the-box robot swarms for everyday applications

    •  Swarm technology enables robots to be used out-of-the-box at scale

    •  Advances in robotics, AI and collaborative awareness are powering swarm deployments

    •  Applications range from manufacturing, construction, and farming to logistics

    Speakers
    Sabine Hauert +
    Sabine Hauert Professor of Swarm Engineering - University of Bristol
13:20 – 13:40
  1. 20 mins
    Giving Robots a Brain: Foundational and World Models for Human-Centred Automation

    • Understand how foundational and world models differ from traditional task-specific automation approaches

    • Learn why prediction and anticipation are critical for robots operating next to humans

    • See how world models enable safer, more adaptive, and scalable automation in real-world environments

    Speakers
    Professor Amir Ghalamzan-Esfahani +
    Professor Amir Ghalamzan-Esfahani Associate Professor of Robotics - University of Sheffield Theme Lead for Robotics & Autonomous Systems, Centre for Machine Intelligence (CMI)
13:40 – 14:00
  1. 20 mins
    Robotic Manipulation from A to Z: Building Reliable, Scalable, and Industry-Ready Automation
    •  End-to-end understanding of robotic manipulation systems
    •  Recent trends in building scalable, modular automation
    •  How digital twins accelerate testing, integration, and reliability
    Speakers
    Rahul Ramachandran +
    Rahul Ramachandran Robotics Engineer - The National Robotarium
14:00 – 14:20
  1. 20 mins
    Robot In-hand Dexterous Manipulation by Extracting Knowledge from Human Object Manipulation to Improve Robotic Autonomy and Dexterity

    • How robots can extract and learn dexterous manipulation skills from human multimodal data, including motion, tactile, and visual signals.

    • How multisensory AI, imitation learning, and reinforcement learning improve robotic autonomy, adaptability, and in-hand manipulation performance

    • Key challenges and solutions in transferring human manipulation skills to real robotic systems for industrial, assistive, and healthcare applications

    Speakers
    Dr. Diego Resende Faria +
    Dr. Diego Resende Faria Associate Professor (Reader) - Loughborough University
14:20 – 15:00
  1. 40 mins
    Panel | Mind the gap: why the UK trails in robotics – and how we catch up

    • What is really holding the UK back?

    • What do the leaders do differently – and what can we copy intelligently?

    • A practical adoption roadmap for UK manufacturers and integrators

    Speakers
    Agnes Wamagui +
    Agnes Wamagui Knowledge Transfer Manager - Robotics - InnovateUK
    Nina Gryf +
    Nina Gryf Senior Policy Manager - Make UK
15:00 – 15:20
  1. 20 mins
    Technology lessons from SMEs that scale: what works for companies of any size

    • Find out about the common problems facing SME manufacturers, how they address them, and how it reads across to your business

    • See case studies from companies that Made Smarter has supported with technology adoption

    • Take away practical tips to improve the planning and implementation of technology projects

    Speakers
    Will Kinghorn +
    Will Kinghorn Technology adoption specialist  - Robotics and Automation - Made Smarter
15:20 – 15:40
  1. 20 mins
    Deploying Robots in Demanding and Long-lasting Environments: A New Model for Academic–Industry Collaboration
    • How digital twins and cyber-physical systems reduce deployment risk in regulated and high-consequence environments
    • Why the “deployment gap” persists between research prototypes and field-ready robotic systems
    • A practical academic–industry collaboration model that enables assured, long-term autonomy in demanding sectors
    Speakers
    Paul Dominick Baniqued +
    Paul Dominick Baniqued Technical Project Manager - CRADLE Robotics and AI
15:40 – 16:10
  1. 30 mins
    Robotics and Automation Awards Ceremony
    The Robotics & Automation Awards celebrate outstanding innovation, technical excellence, and real-world impact in robotics, warehouse automation, and intelligent systems across manufacturing and supply chain operations bhugghu
10:00 – 10:20
  1. 20 mins
    Build a Dynamic Warehouse with Smarter, Faster Decision-Making
    • Discover how flexible automation and adaptive software unlock new levels of efficiency and resilience
    • See how intelligent batching, routing, and prioritization accelerate throughput and accuracy
    • Learn how real-time data and workforce tools empower teams and sharpen decision-making on the floor
    Speakers
    Chandru Palaniyandi +
    Chandru Palaniyandi Senior Software Engineer - Lucas Systems
10:20 – 10:40
  1. 20 mins
    “Positioning Milton Keynes North as a Leader in Autonomous Robotics” – with Chris Curtis

    • Attract investment in autonomous and AI-driven industries

    • Create high-skill local jobs in robotics and tech

    • Partner with industry & universities to drive innovation,ih,uy

10:40 – 11:00
  1. 20 mins
    Robotic Standards – Unlocking the Mystery
    • Understanding of BSI
    • Current robotic standards
    • How to get involved 
    Speakers
    Takiyah Williams +
    Takiyah Williams Standards Development Manager - BSI Group
11:00 – 11:40
  1. 40 mins
    Ocado Panel - Navigating the Fulfilment Frontier: A Strategic Discussion on AI, Resilience, and Next-Gen 3PL Operations
    • De-Risking Deployment
    • Driving Operational Productivity
    •  Future-Proofing the Workforce
    • Optimising Capital Investment
    Speakers
    Charlotte Lathbury +
    Charlotte Lathbury Accelerated Digitalization and Innovation Manager - DHL Supply Chain
    Duncan Fleming +
    Duncan Fleming Strategic Account Manager EMEA - Ocado Intelligent Automation
    Matthew Wallis +
    Matthew Wallis EU Director of Supply Chain - TMX Transform
    Reuben Henry-Fellows +
    Reuben Henry-Fellows Editor - Akabo Media
11:40 – 12:00
  1. 20 mins
    Clever software is what truly makes an AMR fleet effective
    • Lowpad offers proven solutions, including a comprehensive Software Suite, which is key to controlling AMRs effectively and efficiently in their orchestration
    • Lowpad Insights ensures operational transparency through analytics & dashboards – client owns data
    • Lowpad Case Picking solution can significantly increase picking productivity and save time, £££
    Speakers
    Martijn Koudijs +
    Martijn Koudijs Accounts Director – UK&I - Lowpad
12:00 – 12:20
  1. 20 mins
    Lunch
12:20 – 12:40
  1. 20 mins
    Towards Intelligent and Flexible Robotics: ROS 2 Framework for a Reconfigurable Robot Cell Design
    • Understanding IFRA-Cranfield’s research vision and how current projects are advancing intelligent, flexible, and reconfigurable automation
    • How a robot-agnostic ROS 2 framework enables standardised simulation, control, and rapid reconfiguration across different industrial and collaborative manipulators
    • How ROS 2 and MoveIt!2 enable sim2real workflows and modular integration, supporting rapid robot cell deployment and seamless interaction with external hardware and software in adaptable manufacturing environments
    Speakers
    Dr. Seemal Asif +
    Dr. Seemal Asif Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics - Cranfield University
    Mikel Bueno Viso +
    Mikel Bueno Viso Researcher in Intelligent Automation - Cranfield University
12:40 – 13:00
  1. 20 mins
    Building an Ethical Future: How Robotics and AI Are Transforming Work, Health, and Sustainability
    • Key ethical concerns in Robotics and AI include privacy and surveillance risks, safety and system reliability issues, and potential impacts on employment and the broader economy
    • These risks are not inherent or unavoidable; responsible design and governance can mitigate them
    • Robotics and AI can enhance ethical outcomes by improving safety, reducing workplace injuries, and promoting transparency and accountability
    Speakers
    Samia Nefti-Meziani OBE +
    Samia Nefti-Meziani OBE Professor of Robotics and AI - University of Birmingham
13:00 – 13:20
  1. 20 mins
    Stiffness-controllable robots: Applications and impact
    • Variable stiffness as a transformative design principle bridging rigid and soft robotics
    • Integration of AI and advanced control with soft robotic systems systems
    • Real-world impact in healthcare, industry, and autonomous mobility
    Speakers
    Helge Wurdemann +
    Helge Wurdemann Professor of Robotics - University College London
13:20 – 13:40
  1. 20 mins
    How to quantify the value that Robotics and Automation brings to manufacturers

    • Learn key concepts and methods used to define technology value-add

    • Gain knowledge on how to build a business case - for internal budgeting and project approval

    • Hear about real case studies describing benefits from IT system automation deployments


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    Speakers
    Sarah Dana +
    Sarah Dana Enterprise Director, Northern Europe - Rockwell Automation
13:40 – 14:00
  1. 20 mins
    Living Machines - Bioengines for Sustainable Envirobots

    • Harnessing BioEnergy: Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) convert organic matter into electricity using microorganisms, providing a sustainable and self-sufficient power source for environmental robots.

    • Waste to power: By utilising waste streams or natural substrates, MFC-powered Envirobots can clean, monitor, inspect environments while generating energy, reducing reliance on conventional batteries.

    • Sustainable Design: Understanding how to optimise MFC efficiency, use ceramic materials, and integrate them into robotic platforms is key for real-world deployment in remote environments.

    Speakers
    Dr Iwona Gajda PhD, MSc, FHEA +
    Dr Iwona Gajda PhD, MSc, FHEA Senior Lecturer: Environmental Engineering/Project Management - UWE Bristol
14:00 – 14:20
  1. 20 mins
    Leadership implications of the convergence of Agentic AI and robotics
    • Embodied AI agents will require organisations to redefine their strategy
    • The convergence of agentic AI and robotics will drive considerable change
    • Organisation survival will be determined by those leaders who can lead transformation
    Speakers
    Professor Ashley Braganza PhD, MBA, CAIB, FBAM +
    Professor Ashley Braganza PhD, MBA, CAIB, FBAM Professor of Business Transformation and Director, Centre for AI - Brunel University of London
14:20 – 14:40
  1. 20 mins
    Advanced Robotics, Digital Integration and Downtime Elimination in High-Speed Manufacturing
    • Designing palletising systems for reliability, not just throughput
    • Digital integration as a critical reliability layer
    • From automated to autonomous palletising
       
    Speakers
    Kaustubh Raut +
    Kaustubh Raut Process Engineer - Advanced Automation & Manufacturing Systems - McCormick UK