PROCESS AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS FROM AMBITION TO ADOPTION
Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), says robotics and automation centres play a crucial role in breaking down the barriers to adoption
T
he UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy sets out a clear ambition to expand the use of robotics and automation across British industry to strengthen productivity, enhance manufacturing competitiveness and position the UK as a leader in advanced technologies . To support this ambition, the Advanced Manufacturing Sector plan is supported by initiatives, such as the Smart Machines Strategy and the £52 million Robotics Adoption Programme, to help UK businesses overcome barriers to automation adoption. The UK currently ranks 24th globally for robot density – roughly half the EU average. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity, and the government’s policy focus provides a clear commitment to accelerating industry uptake in the UK. The priority now is to enable more manufacturers to move from interest to implementation. This requires practical support - such as that provided by robotics centres - to reduce risk, build skills and demonstrate how automation can work within real production environments, helping realise the government’s ambitions.
The barriers to robotics adoption Robotics and automation offer clear advantages for manufacturers, improving product quality, boosting operational efficiency from around 70% to as high as 90% and reducing waste. These benefits are well documented across the sector, and few manufacturers would question the long- term value of robotics. Yet, uncertainty around implementation remains
widespread, with 29% of British manufacturers reporting no clear timeline for introducing robotics and a further 18% unsure about their plans . According to the Smart Machines Strategy 2035, this hesitation is linked to perceived risks, including the possibility of production disruption, regulatory challenges, safety and compliance requirements, and conservative business practices that favour proven production methods over newer technologies. Together, these factors shape the risk–reward calculation around automation investment, particularly where organisations lack the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate how new technologies will perform within their own operations. Although not explicitly identified as such in the Smart Machines Strategy, the skills gap remains a considerable barrier to the adoption of robotics and automation. This is particularly evident among SMEs, where approximately half lack the
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necessary skills to optimise business operations through automation. Automation requires system-level understanding over isolated technical knowledge. Building this capability depends on access to specialist expertise and the capacity to explore new technologies and redesign production processes – resources which are often limited within smaller organisations. Without capabilities in areas such as process integration and production optimisation, translating theoretical benefits into measurable operational gains becomes significantly more difficult.
A pathway to adoption
Operated by neutral conveners, institutions such as Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Bristol Robotics Laboratory, and the National Robotarium provide structured environments in which manufacturers can build the skills required for robotics adoption. Manufacturers are guided through the early stages of robot adoption, combining technical learning with the observation of systems operating in realistic production environments. This begins with identifying where automation could support specific tasks but quickly extends to understanding how those systems must be configured to meet operational requirements. This includes evaluating factors such as payload, reach and cycle times, as well as how robotic systems will integrate with existing machinery,
PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING | APRIL 2026
control systems and operator workflows. As a result, organisations gain a clearer understanding of both the potential benefits of automation and the practical implications of implementation. This structured approach enables manufacturers to move towards a more detailed, evidence-based understanding of how robotics will perform within their own operations.
In a nutshell, the biggest barrier to robotics and automation isn’t awareness, it’s perceived risk. This is driven by a combination of factors, including differing levels of understanding and experience, especially for those who are new to the technology. This increases the perceived risk of failure, subsequently discouraging owners from committing investment. The provision of support is all about minimising the risks by addressing these unknowns to close the gap between ambition and adoption. Robotics and automation centres play a crucial
role here. Sitting between research, training and industry, they give manufacturers, including SMEs, a structured route to build capability through hands-on insight, live demonstrations and collaborative learning. If the UK is to grow its robotics market to a projected £3.1 billion by 2029, expanding the role of these centres will be essential to turn ambition into sustained, at-scale adoption.
Manufacturing Technology Centre
www.the-mtc.org
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