2 min read - 12 Oct, 2026
New £9.8m robotics hub to boost Greater South West businesses
Businesses across the Greater South West will receive dedicated support to explore and adopt robotics and automation through a new £9.8m regional programme.
The National Composites Centre (NCC) will lead the one-to-one business advisory service within the new Greater South West Robotics Adoption Hub (GSWRAH), helping companies navigate the route to adoption and return on investment.
The Hub is led by Bristol Robotics Laboratory through the University of Bristol, in partnership with UWE Bristol and NCC. It brings together 23 partners from industry, academia and local government and has secured £7.2m from Innovate UK, alongside £2.6m from project partners. It is one of eight Robotics Adoption Hubs selected for funding across the UK, forming a national network that will work together to accelerate robotics adoption.
For many businesses, the main challenge isn’t understanding the potential of robotics and automation, but knowing where to start, which technologies are right for their operations and whether the investment will deliver.
NCC’s advisory service will provide practical, one-to-one support to help businesses address these hurdles. Expert advisers will help companies identify opportunities, assess potential solutions, build investment cases and connect with the expertise, finance and wider support needed to progress.
A new £9.8m robotics hub will help Greater South West businesses identify tech, build business cases and successfully deploy automation / Picture: GSWRAH/NCC
The service builds on NCC’s experience in advanced manufacturing and industrial innovation, as well as its existing work supporting businesses across the region, including through the Made Smarter programme delivered in partnership with Oxford Innovation Advice.
Katy Riddington, managing director of supporting growth at NCC, said: “Robotics and automation can help businesses address some very practical challenges, from improving productivity and consistency to responding to skills and workforce pressures.
“Our role is to work directly with businesses to understand the challenges they are facing, identify where robotics could make a difference and help them build a clear case for adoption. By bringing together NCC’s innovation expertise with robotics capability, practical business support and a strong regional network, the Hub will help businesses understand not just where technology could make a difference, but how to adopt it effectively.”
Alongside the NCC-led advisory service, the Hub will provide opportunities for businesses to see robotics in action through industrial site visits, demonstration facilities and proof-of-concept activities.
An ecosystem programme will also connect businesses with technology suppliers and specialist support organisations through regional networking and knowledge-sharing events.
Supporting sectors ranging from maritime, energy, and aerospace to food and drink and healthcare, the Greater South West Robotics Adoption Hub is expected to be fully operational by January 2027. To find out more and to register your interest, click here.
