Cardiff Centre to Culture Smart Ideas and Industry Partners

Following a major investment of European funding, Cardiff University is to open a new centre for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Human-Machine Systems (IROHMS), building on the research expertise at Cardiff University’s Schools of Engineering, Computer Science and Informatics and Psychology.

IROHMS will focus its research on sectors of strategic importance for Wales, including high-value digital manufacturing, wireless factory machinery, aerospace, autonomous vehicles, and the societal challenges facing healthcare and assisted living.

The £3.5m centre, which has received £1.8m of EU funds through Welsh Government, will provide opportunity for pursuit of transformative research discoveries in Cardiff, while helping to strengthen the critical mass in artificial intelligence and robotics that currently exists across South Wales, fostering new collaborations with industry experts and increasing investment across the area.

IROHMS has already received letters of support from industry, public sector and higher education, with many expressing an interest in collaborative R&D, networking and events, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, guest lectures, peer reviewing and mentoring.

Facilities at Cardiff University will also be enhanced, including the further development of a robotics lab, motion capture lab and Internet of Things lab.

Professor Rossi Setchi, Lead Principal Investigator of IROHMS, said: “This new centre draws on a vision of the world that is human-centric, interactive, interconnected, data-rich, knowledge-intensive and smart. By bringing together our collective expertise under one banner, we will maximise our research expertise and drive forward innovations that tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges. Our aim is to make South Wales an area of excellence in AI, Robotics and Human-Machine Systems, that is known across the world, attracting further investments and the very best research expertise.”

Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport, Lee Waters said: “As a government, we want to see Wales at the very forefront of data driven innovation. This impressive Centre will directly target new opportunities emerging in the Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Human Machine Systems industry and improve our ever growing national and international reputation in the field.

“I am delighted to officially open this facility, supported by £1.8 million of EU funds, which will bring added collaboration with businesses and other institutions and strengthen the global impact Wales is already having in the sector.”