The first-ever winners of the Robotics & Automation Awards have finally been announced!
Read more below to find out who walked away with the top prizes at this first-of-its-kind event. The full stories behind the amazing projects on show – plus further details on the categories and entry criteria – can be found exclusively in the November 2023 issue of Robotics & Automation Magazine!
Organised by Robotics & Automation Magazine, the inaugural Robotics & Automation Awards recognised and celebrated a range of outstanding applications of robotics or automated systems throughout the value chain of a several prominent industries.
The inaugural winners were revealed at a special ceremony held at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms this week on 31 October 2023. The night was a glittering occasion, with the best of the best working with robotics and automation attending to celebrate their achievements.
What’s more, two leading industry companies signed up to sponsor the event and make this incredible night happen: HMS Networks and BPX.
And here it is! The following organisations beat out the competition to become the first-ever winners of the inaugural Robotics & Automation Awards…
People
The HMS Networks Inspiring the Next Generation Award Winner: VEX Robotics and partners
What we said: VEX Robotics’ education outreach programme has had a profound effect on thousands of students, raised aspirations, changed career paths and is leaving a legacy that will continue to impact the region for years to come.
What the winner said: No other educational robotics platform has the breadth of impact through every school year, inside and outside the classroom. To close the widening skills gap in engineering we need to highlight robotics and automation as a key aspect in multiple industries – that starts in schools!
Shortlist
BSG Robotics
The National Robotarium
The Reece Foundation, Nissan Skills Foundation, Robotics Education & Competition Foundation with Vex Robotics
West Nottinghamshire College & ABB Robotics
Young Innovator of the Year Winner: Ellie Allday – Ligentia
What we said: A remarkable young woman, Ellie Allday’s commitment to supporting and cultivating a vibrant and more inclusive tech community is hugely impressive. She’s clearing taking the initiative to push things forward, is passionate and driven – all the hallmarks of an industry leader in the making.
What the winner said: I am committed to ensuring that this industry is a supportive and positive environment for all individuals and is reshaped through people, automation and diversity. I’m excited for the future of this industry and I am committed to becoming a leader, ready to take on the future challenges.
Shortlist
Ellie Allday – Ligentia
Nathan Donaldson – Wootzano
Best New or Small Company Award Winner: Endoline Robotics
What we said: Any start-up is a risk. Few make it past the first year, let alone survive the fragility of a global pandemic! No one could have foreseen what was around the corner. Yet for Endoline Robotics, although turbulent times, securing its first major automated palletising sale six months after launching, and in the height of the first UK lockdown, filled the company with the confidence to stay focused and stand firm.
What the winner said: This award validates Endoline’s reputation of delivering customised, modular automation systems that can be integrated into existing manufacturing lines and serviced and supported locally – without disrupting production.
Shortlist
Canvas
E-Nano
Endoline Robotics
Extend Robotics
Ivy Tech
Peykbot
Applied Technologies
Best Use of Cobotics Award Winner: United Drug and Locus Robotics
What we said: This innovative solution truly fosters human-robot collaboration. Workers engage with robotic platforms to enhance their daily tasks, reducing repetitive and strenuous activities. The benefits are unequivocal.
What the winner said: This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to deploy innovative logistics solutions that use advanced technology to address increasingly complex fulfilment challenges.
Shortlist
Intelligent Growth Solutions
OnRobot
Stanley Black & Decker
United Drug & Locus Robotics
Wootzano
Best Use of Drones Award Winner: Royal Mail and Skyports Drone Services
What we said: Novel and innovative use of drone technology that has been clearly developed with end-user needs in mind. A good scalable business-as-usual solution with the potential for further roll out to other communities in the UK and overseas.
What the winner said: Trialling drones is an exciting opportunity to test out new ways of working to support our people who deliver to some of the most remote areas of the UK. The Orkney I-Port operation represents the first steps toward realising our goal of developing permanent, reliable, lower emission delivery solutions for remote communities entirely by drone.
Shortlist
Advanced Navigation
InDePTH (Intelligent Drones for Port and Highways)
Coventry City Council with partners
Inteliports
Railscape
Royal Mail & Skyports
Industrial Innovation Award Winner: Camozzi Automation
What we said: Modular and flexible, the single pneumatic and electric sub-bases and simple valve connection system of Series D make it an ideal solution for those requiring a quick and simple installation.
What the winner said: The Series D is the perfect partner for designing industrial automation systems. With it, we’re stepping into the future of automation and unlocking a world of possibilities. We believe it is a game-changing valve system.
Shortlist
ABB Robotics
Brilliant Planet with Platinum Electrical Engineering & Schneider Electric
Camozzi Automation
Ericsson & HMS Networks
KeTop Wireless
Industry 4.0 Award Winner: Synergy Logistics and McGee & Co.
What we said: With SnapControl, companies can incorporate automation into their warehouse, without major software upheavals, in just weeks – not years, which is a major breakthrough in the world of warehouse automation!
What the winner said: McGee & Co. offers designer pieces that make the home look and feel beautiful. The company’s success and growth required a move to a much larger warehouse facility), while local labour challenges required a technology transformation with warehouse automation. Synergy Logistics is absolutely delighted to have been part of that.
Shortlist
Active Ants
Arrival
Camozzi Automation
Coca-Cola HBC with ATOS & System Logistics
HMS Networks
Intelligent Growth Solutions
Maersk and Dexory
NAiSE GmbH
Synergy Logistics and McGee & Co
University of Nottingham (Omnifactory)
Innovation in Packaging Automation Award Winner: Wootzano
What we said: The use of skin-based haptics for this application is an interesting innovation with wider application. Thee use of cobots provides flexibility and improves outcomes by integrating into existing lines and solving staffing problems.
What the winner said: We have chosen to specialise in the most complex fruits; grapes and vine tomatoes. These soft and delicate produce items are high-value items, but due to their varying, fragile shape, have been left by most automation/robotics companies. We have taken this challenge head-on and have seen a huge demand for our product, not only in the UK and Europe but worldwide.
Shortlist
Angus Soft Fruits & Proseal UK
CMC Packaging Automation UK
FlavourFresh Salads & Xihelm
Jones Food Company & IPL
Wootzano
Innovative Use of Artificial Intelligence Award Winner: Advanced Navigation
What we said: A revolution in underwater AI technology, Hydrus is enabling us to understand far more about our oceans than ever before.
What the winner said: Hydrus is opening up underwater data collection across the world. We continue to learn new ways Hydrus can be used with each customer and partner we speak with.
Shortlist
Advanced Navigation
E-Nano
Exodigo
FlavourFresh Salads & Xihelm
HMS Networks
SEC Storage
Industry Sector
Innovation in the Warehouse Award Winner: Maersk & Dexory
What we said: Dexory’s partnership with Maersk began with a successful deployment of the first Dexory robot and integrated data platform into the Kettering site in January. The platform and robot helped Maersk save many hours per week in tracking and solving inventory issues, giving continuous visibility across the site that supports identifying and achieving improvements across the operation.
What the winner said: The solution is providing Maersk with more visibility over its warehouses stock and the real-time data enables the identification of issues and opportunities that lie within companies’ operations. This has already translated into a significant boost in customer satisfaction pushing for 100% of orders in full, on time.
Shortlist
Active Ants
Asda & Geek+
CMC Packaging Automation UK
Coca-Cola HBC with ATOS & System Logistics
Endoline Robotics
Global Freight Management & Locus Robotics
Keshet Grocery & Caja Robotics
Maersk & Dexory
McGee & Co with Synergy Logistics
Molton Brown & Wincanton
Best Use of Robotics or Automation in Cleaning & Sanitation Award Winner: Purgo & ICE
What we said: This was a fantastic entry with a clear collaborative approach between the service provider and the technology company. The technology itself has some fabulous benefits for the end customer and is in constant development.
What the winner said: Our partnership is a longstanding one spanning many years and the introduction of autonomous machines and technology has further strengthened and added huge benefits to the Purgo offer and service to customers. I believe we have a true and strong collaboration and association with Purgo that is set to continue for many years to come.
Shortlist
ABM UK & Tennant UK
LionsBot
Purgo & ICE
SharkNinja
Best Use of Robotics or Automation in Food & Beverage Award Winner: Angus Soft Fruits & Proseal UK
What we said: Building on impressive core capabilities and client, an impressive process of capability innovation, through collaboration. A worthy winner.
What the winner said: The range of case packing machines are now following Proseal’s proven path of core product development that focuses on the needs of the user and this has led to further innovative solutions.
Shortlist
Angus Soft Fruits & Proseal UK
Coca-Cola HBC with ATOS & System Logistics
FlavourFresh Salads & Xihelm
Jones Food Company & IPL
Keenbots
Keshet Grocery & Caja Robotics
Kiwibot
Pubinno
Wootzano
Best Use of Robotics or Automation in Retail Award Winner: Jones Food Company & IPL
What we said: The tray is a leader in vertical farming technology, integrated throughout the process to ensure a consistent product year-round.
What the winner said: We’re absolutely delighted to have won this award. All our hard work has paid off. Our teams worked on this project for 13 months, designing, prototyping and testing while the site contractors built the vertical farm. All teams had to be involved at different stages as the vertical farm was a novel concept in the vertical farming industry.
Shortlist
Active Ants
Asda & Geek+
CMC Packaging Automation UK
Global Freight Management & Locus Robotics
Jones Food Company & IPL
Keshet Grocery & Caja Robotics
Magazino
McGee & Co with Synergy Logistics
Molton Brown & Wincanton
SSI SCHAEFER & Boohoo
Best Use of Robotics or Automation in Construction Award Winner: ABB Robotics
What we said: Automated Architecture’s guiding philosophy is that it can’t simply automate building construction – rather, buildings need to be re-designed for automation and robots. This is where its architect-led process comes to the fore. In terms of automated architecture, AUAR and ABB are certainly bringing it home.
What the winner said: ABB understands that the construction market is the next place to go for robotic automation and we got incredible support from the very first email. When we first started, ABB gave us a lot of engineering support to help us figure out our first robot cell, even giving us our own space at its Milton Keynes centre to play around and experiment.
Shortlist
ABB Robotics
Canvas
Best Use of Robotics or Automation in Transportation Award Winner: Peyk
What we said: Peyk has revolutionised the delivery industry with its innovative PeykBot. This machine is packed with cutting-edge technology that enables it to be used in any weather or terrain, providing a reliable service that customers can trust.
What the winner said: As the world continues to face unprecedented challenges, our vision of providing sustainable jobs and reliable delivery services has never been more relevant. We believe PeykBot offers a cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable solution for the delivery of packages to consumers.
Shortlist
Asda & Wayve
DPD & Cartken
Intelligent Growth Solutions
Peykbot
StreetDrone with partners
Innovation in Extreme Environments Award Winner: University of Sheffield and AMRC (Meditel)
What we said: The development of a mobile teleoperation robotics system within hazardous or high-risk environments would ensure medically trained experts are safe and not exposed to the hazard themselves while providing potentially lifesaving care until the casualty can be safely extracted.
What the winner said: The platform is a success story from the DSTL innovation funding and has been highlighted to their relevant stakeholders and government ministers. The MediTel team continues to build on this success and is actively pursuing new opportunities to release the potential benefits of the game-changing technology for the world’s benefit.
Shortlist
Airbus Defence and Space
BladeBUG
Sellafield & IDS with Atkins and TKE
The University of Sheffield – AMRC (MediTel)
University of Southampton (Human-in-the-Loop Autonomy for Search and Rescue)
Offshore Innovation Award Winner: BladeBUG
What we said: This technology will enable development of more offshore wind capacity. The vision of fully autonomous boats with drones and bladebugs is an exciting one with a potential £7.5bn market for inspection alone.
What the winner said: There is a growing skills shortage for blade inspection and repair technicians and increasing pressure from regulators to reduce people working offshore. Our technology’s ability to collect intelligent data for critical assets in real time without putting people in danger or requiring skilled experts onsite presents a game-changing opportunity.
Shortlist
Advanced Navigation
BladeBUG
Innovation in Aerospace Award Winner: Airbus Defence and Space
What we said: A space resurgence is underway. At the core of this, robotics becomes an enabler, a cornerstone that accelerates the implementation of new and novel missions to operate in the extreme and challenging environment of space.
What the winner said: Not only is the Versatile In-Space and Planetary Arm a unique manipulator that will change how we build and operate in space, it also has the potential to subsequently radically change how we live our lives here on Earth.
Shortlist
Airbus Defence and Space
University of Nottingham (Omnifactory)
Innovation in Agriculture Award Winner: Railscape
What we said: This was a very strong entry with lots of target markets and strong engagement with key stakeholders, including regulators. Railscape has moved the needle in terms of drone deployment and has clearly demonstrated the potential of the technology to scale and make a difference.
What the winner said: Our technology allows for a far more robust and precise planned preventative maintenance regime than could ever be established using current methods with the benefit of a vast amount of on-site risk removal.
Shortlist
Autopickr
FlavourFresh Salads & Xihelm
Intelligent Growth Solutions
Jones Food Company & IPL
Railscape
TractorBots
Manufacturing Innovation Award Winner: Stanley Black & Decker
What we said: Stanley Engineered Fastening is a great example of a company smartly using collaborative automation to make its business more successful and resilient. These cobots are helping transform an organisation whose potential would otherwise be constrained by labour shortages, limited production space or rising production costs.
What the winner said: We needed to increase throughput and productivity in order to meet demand across our fastener product range. Freeing up our machine operators from this repetitive task allows them to add more value elsewhere in the process, delivering better profitability and shorter lead times.
Shortlist
Coca-Cola HBC with ATOS & System Logistics
Stanley Black & Decker
Research & Innovation
The BPX Innovation in Sustainability Award Winner: Brilliant Planet with Platinum Electrical Engineering & Schneider Electric
What we said: The unique expertise of Platinum Electrical Engineering combined with the revolutionary EcoStruxure Automation Expert from Schneider Electric has enabled a leader in high-quality carbon removal to operate more efficiently across multiple sites. This innovative universal automation system has also created a benchmark for scalability that will be a key component of Brilliant Planet’s future as it advances in its crucial process.
What the winner said: Together, we’re deploying a software-centric universal automation system that meets the flexibility and efficiency needs of the carbon capture process. Ultimately this represents the use of technology to collectively protect the environment worldwide and creates a step change for industry, where traditionally automation software has lagged far behind its IT counterparts.
Shortlist
Brilliant Planet with Platinum Electrical Engineering & Schneider Electric
C.R.I.S.P (Nottingham Trent University and PepsiCo International)
E-Nano
FDP Recycling & ABB Robotics
R&D Innovation Award Winner: InDePTH (Intelligent Drones for Port and Highways)
What we said: This project brings together a number of technologies, with many work packages and a number of solutions to real-world problems that look to be achievable and have tangible benefits in the next year or two.
What the winner said: We have identified significant market needs for drone-in-a-box applications in the coming years. In the last year, we have seen a market of around £5bn worth of commercial applications globally. With the new capabilities InDePTH is delivering, these applications will be significantly improved, especially for critical national infrastructure, thereby growing the market.
Shortlist
InDePTH (Intelligent Drones for Port and Highways)
Coventry City Council with partners
Nottingham Trent University and PepsiCo International (C.R.I.S.P)
Railscape
The National Robotarium
The University of Sheffield – AMRC (MediTel)
University of Nottingham (Omnifactory)
University of Southampton (Human-in-the-Loop Autonomy for Search and Rescue)
A huge thank you to all the winners, finalists, entrants and judges that took part in the inaugural Robotics & Automation Awards – it wouldn’t have happened without the outstanding companies that entered and the expert judging panel. Watch this space for further announcements regarding next year’s Awards, for which entries will open in March 2023!
