Oxford University Innovation spin-out targets new frontiers of robotic technology
3rd November 2014
A spin-out from Oxford University’s Department of Engineering Science and Oxford University Innovation will target new opportunities in robotics and autonomous systems.
The firm, Oxbotica (www.oxbotica.com), has been founded by Professor Ingmar Posner and Professor Paul Newman – leaders of the internationally acclaimed Oxford Mobile Robotics Group (MRG) (mrg.robots.ox.ac.uk).
Oxford University Innovation, the University’s technology commercialisation company, has announced the formation of the company which will commercialise MRG’s robotics and autonomous systems technologies. Current MRG projects include robotic survey systems for roads and railways, low-speed driverless pods for urban transport, a robot electric car, and robotic rovers for use on Mars.
Executive Director of Oxford University Innovation, Linda Naylor said: “Robotic technology has the potential to transform the fabric of our everyday lives and Oxbotica will be a key part of this.”
Professor Ingmar Posner said: “We believe that Oxford University’s robotics expertise can transform a wide spectrum of application domains. Our intended markets range from devices that survey our roads, buildings and chemical plants to autonomous systems for warehouse logistics and, of course, autonomous driving.”
Professor Newman added: “Transport remains an important application for robotic technology but we are thinking bigger than any single application. In collaboration with partners, we can help to realise the Government’s vision of robotics as one of the UK’s ‘Eight Great Technologies’.”
The company will be led by Dr Graeme Smith, an automotive engineering executive with extensive experience in developing autonomous vehicle technology. Dr Smith said: “Oxbotica will manage and expand the extensive and rapidly growing intellectual property portfolio created by MRG to realise the tremendous market potential of robotics and autonomous systems in the UK and globally.”
Photo credit: John Cairns
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