About Us
“BRL is a unique collaboration that harnesses the collective strengths of its university partners, and brings together the best expertise from industry and the academic community to spearhead Britain’s efforts to be a world leader in modern advanced robotics”.
David Willetts,Minister of State for Universities and Science2010 - 2014
Who we are
Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) is the most comprehensive academic centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research in the UK. It is a collaborative partnership between the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and the University of Bristol, and home to a vibrant community of over 450 academics, researchers and industry practitioners. Together, they are world leaders in current thinking on service robotics, intelligent autonomous systems and bio-engineering. An internationally recognised Centre of Excellence in Robotics, BRL’s state-of-the-art facilities cover an area of over 4,600 sq. metres (50,000 sq. feet).
Our mission
The primary mission of BRL is to understand the science, engineering and social role of robotics and embedded intelligence. In particular, the key challenges surrounding adaptive robotics, namely: dealing with people and their unpredictability, unstructured and uncertain environments, and equipping robots for flexible roles. BRL is a unique collaboration that harnesses the collective strengths of its partners to spearhead Britain’s efforts to be a world leader in modern advanced robotics.
Our research
The Laboratory is currently involved in interdisciplinary research projects addressing key areas of robot capabilities and applications including: smart automation, human-robot interaction, bio-energy and self-sustainable systems, biomimetic tactile sensors and haptic feedback systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, driverless cars, swarming behaviour, assisted living technologies, non-linear control, medical and rehabilitation robotics, machine vision, robot safety, verification and validation, unconventional computation and soft robotics.
Our networks
BRL maintains strong national and international links with both industry and other research institutes and has an enviable track record of successful research and innovation.
We are involved in multiple innovative applications of robotics for commercial and industrial exploitation accessed by the Bristol Technology Solutions programme, which includes a Technology Business Incubator and the Robotics Innovation Facility ( RIF ).
BRL works closely with trade associations and industry networks, and hosts a variety of national and international robotics conferences and competitions, and coordinates the
West Of England Robotics Network (WoERN).
