UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the technology investment and networking umbrella that includes Innovate UK, is promoting a series of manufacturing workshops, funding competitions, and seminars in the final third of this year.
The events are dedicated to helping manufacturers adopt new technologies and become more competitive.
First, a new competition, Driving the Electric Revolution, launches on 12 September. It focuses on helping manufacturers find new solutions outside of the Power Electronics, Machines and Drives (PEMD) industry, and/or to industrialise manufacturing processes within PEMD.
The competition is making a £5 million funding pot available to successful applicants.
Then on 28-29 September, the Immerse Technology Conference will explore augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR, or, collectively XR) solutions at a physical event at the AMRC Factory 2050 facility in Sheffield.
The conference will focus on real-world applications, management, security, and the change/cultural elements of new technology adoption.
On 3 October, the InterAct Conference 2022 takes place in London, exploring the creation of a resilient, secure, and dynamic digital manufacturing ecosystem that also meets Net Zero ambitions.
Speakers include figures from vendors, UKRI, Make UK, and the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Meanwhile from September to November, UKRI is hosting a series of Making Manufacturing Smarter webinars, in association with the Made Smarter Innovation Research Centres and the UK’s technology hubs and other research organisations.
The virtual events will look at collaborative industrial robotics, people-led digitisation, connected factories, AI and robotics in medicines manufacturing, and overall smart-factory initiatives.
Organisations can also apply for a UKRI-funded stand in Innovation Alley at the Smart Factory Expo in Liverpool on 16-17 November, says the organisation.
