Ministerial visit highlights Oxford’s pioneering robotics research

The visit brought together His Excellency Minister Abdullah Alswaha, Minister for Communication and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia, and Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation (UK), along with their respective delegations. They were welcomed to Oxford by Vice-Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey, who hosted an opening bilateral meeting before accompanying the group to the ORI robotics lab for a short tour and technology demonstration.

Led by researchers from ORI, the tour provided an opportunity to showcase the University’s leadership in robotics and autonomous systems – fields that have wide-reaching potential in sectors ranging from infrastructure and manufacturing to healthcare and space exploration.

Professor Nick Hawes, Director of ORI said: "Research in robotics and AI is a team sport. No one institution or organisation can achieve success in this space without collaboration and engagement with partners. Hosting this visit was a great opportunity to both showcase our world-leading science and technology, and to support the UK government in building relationships that will have the potential to create new partnerships to scale our impact across the world."

Speaking after the visit, Professor Dermot O’Hare, who represented the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division, said: 'It was a privilege to welcome both Minister Alswaha and Lord Vallance to Oxford and to highlight the incredible work of our researchers at the Oxford Robotics Institute. Their visit reinforces the global importance of collaboration in science and technology and the need to continue investing in talent, research infrastructure, and innovation that drives impact at scale."

The visit also underlined Oxford’s ongoing commitment to fostering strong international partnerships and to contributing to national and global research priorities through world-class science.