West Midlands RAS Cluster Supports Make UK’s Call for Faster Robotics Adoption in Manufacturing

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 52 seconds

Investment

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Quick Read: A new report by Make UK and the West Midlands RAS Cluster urges faster adoption of robotics in manufacturing, highlighting regional potential and outlining key steps for growth.

The West Midlands Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) Cluster is backing Make UK’s latest call to action, urging a faster and more coordinated adoption of robotics across the region’s manufacturing sector.

This follows the release of a joint study: The Case for Increased Robotics and Autonomous Systems Adoption within the West Midlands Production Industry, commissioned by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and conducted in partnership with Make UK and the West Midlands RAS Cluster.

Drawing insights from over 100 manufacturers and a comprehensive review of current industry literature, the report finds that while 80% of businesses have adopted basic robotic applications, there is significant untapped potential in more advanced RAS technologies. Scaling adoption, however, is being hindered by financial constraints, limited training access, and a lack of technical expertise, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Strong Appetite for Automation, but Barriers Remain

The research highlights widespread enthusiasm for automation, with 59% of firms planning to expand their use of RAS within three years, and only 6% ruling it out entirely. Productivity gains, alongside improved quality and consistency, were among the most frequently cited benefits.

However, more advanced robotic systems remain out of reach for many due to key challenges:

- Insufficient financial support and incentives
- Shortage of trained professionals
- Limited collaborative infrastructure

Industry Leaders Call for Unified Action

Professor Mike Wilson, Chief Automation Officer at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) and founding member of the West Midlands RAS Cluster, said:

This report validates the need for a regional cluster where technology providers, integrators, and users can collaborate. It confirms our vision to establish the West Midlands RAS Cluster as a hub for coordination, investment, and leadership.

Ben Fletcher, COO of Make UK, added:

Robotics and autonomous systems are essential for the future of UK manufacturing. This report outlines a clear strategy to overcome barriers and unlock innovation and economic growth.

Report Recommendations: Unlocking the Potential

The report identifies three core recommendations to help the region lead in RAS adoption:

1. Enhanced financial support
Expand grant programmes and financial incentives tailored to robotics to lower the barrier to entry for SMEs.

2. Strengthened collaboration
Foster regional and national partnerships between academia, industry, and government to share knowledge and resources.

3. Targeted skills development
Develop dedicated RAS training, apprenticeships, and CPD programmes to close the workforce gap and provide job-ready talent.

West Midlands Positioned to Lead Nationally

With 12,700 manufacturing businesses and strong infrastructure, the West Midlands is well placed to become a national leader in robotics and automation adoption. The region’s industrial heritage, academic institutions, and access to skilled talent offer a strategic advantage for advancing the UK’s RAS ambitions.

What's new

West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator Unlocks Nearly £50M in Private Investment

The West Midlands Health Tech Innovation Accelerator (WMHTIA), led by the University of Birmingham, has generated an impressive £49.4 million in private co-investment within its first two years, significantly surpassing its original £14.5 million public funding allocation.

Funded through the Innovation Accelerator programme, coordinated by Innovate UK, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and UK Research and Innovation, WMHTIA has become a leading force in advancing health technology innovation across the region.

The majority of the private investment—£36.3 million—was directly committed by investors to enterprises supported by the Accelerator. This achievement represents a threefold return on the initial public investment, demonstrating the strong investor confidence in the region’s health tech sector.

Powering Health Innovation Through Collaboration

The WMHTIA brings together 21 partners from academia, industry, and the NHS to help healthtech companies develop, validate, and commercialise cutting-edge medical technologies. So far, companies supported through the programme have also secured an additional £10 million in national public grants from agencies including NIHR, Eureka, and Innovate UK.

Including both public and private contributions, the total investment leveraged by WMHTIA now stands at £67.3 million.

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham:

We’re proud to support startups through the riskiest stages of innovation so more life-saving technologies reach patients. This exceptional investment proves what’s possible when academia, the NHS, and industry work together to drive economic growth and better health outcomes.

In March 2025, the Innovation Accelerator programme was extended with a further £30 million, including £4 million for the WMHTIA to continue supporting the region’s innovators in 2025/26.

Backing the Future of Health Tech

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands:

The West Midlands is leading medical tech innovation—from faster diagnoses to shorter hospital stays. Healthtech isn’t just improving lives; it’s creating secure, high-value jobs that drive inclusive growth.

Dean Cook, Executive Director of Place and Global, Innovate UK:

This programme shows how place-based innovation can unlock greater business investment in R&D. By connecting the region’s strengths, we’re creating high-value jobs and building globally significant innovation capability.

The WMHTIA continues to strengthen the region’s reputation as a national hub for health technology, with far-reaching benefits for patient care, job creation, and regional economic development.

By Anushka Malhotra

24 Jun