Issue link: https://htpgraphics.uberflip.com/i/1385717
In 2017 we launched the four-year £93 million Robots for a Safer World challenge, part of the first wave of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. The Challenge was due to conclude in March 2021, having developed safer and more productive technologies for working in extreme environments, in industries such as Nuclear Decommissioning, Offshore Wind Energy and Space. Over the past three and a half years RAIN has established a national asset and strengthened the links between academic led research and industry, driven by use-case demonstrators. These include; the use of ROVs to enable leading edge inspection and monitoring of active nuclear facilities whilst performing complex tasks, integrated handling systems to address glovebox challenges, the development of digital simulation tools for inspection and handling, while also leading the conversation for robotic adoption with the UK's nuclear regulator. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable disruption to the final demonstrator phase of the Challenge, where excellent research outputs will come together into a coordinated set of showcases. In order to complete the original objectives of the Challenge, UKRI is giving as much support as it can to RAIN so they can complete their mission and demonstrate the excellent science and technological developments they have worked so hard to produce over the past three and a half years. ANDREW TYRER 5 CHALLENGE DIRECTOR – ROBOTICS INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY RESEARCH FUND