Oxford’s Chancellor visits Oxford Robotics Institute to explore cutting-edge research

On 24 July, the Department of Engineering Science was delighted to welcome Oxford’s new Chancellor, Lord William Hague, to the Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI) for a hands-on introduction to their world-class robotics research.

Accompanied by Professor Jim Naismith, Head of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division, the Chancellor toured ORI’s basement laboratories, where researchers and students across multiple groups demonstrated the breadth and impact of their work.

"The visit sparked thoughtful conversations and affirmed the impact of what we’re building together at ORI"

With demos from Soft Robotics Lab showcasing the robotic soft hand, a robotic inversion demo from MRG, and a demo from GOALS of the Boston Dynamics Spot with the ORI's Auto Inspect system, the Chancellor was given a real insight to the top-level research and works that are carried out by the groups at the ORI. 

Professor Jim Naismith praised the visit, saying:

"It was great to see our Chancellor, Lord Hague, share our pride and excitement when he saw first-hand the fantastic work of our students and researchers at ORI" 

Student participation was central to the day, with DPhil students Efimia Panagiotaki and Michael Groom helping to introduce their research and discuss their own roles.

“Welcoming the Chancellor to the Oxford Robotics Institute was a real highlight. It was inspiring to see his genuine interest in our research and to witness the enthusiasm of our team as they demonstrated their work. The visit sparked thoughtful conversations and affirmed the impact of what we’re building together at ORI”- Daniele De Martini, Departmental Lecturer, Principal Investigator - MRG

Reflecting on the visit, MRG DPhil student Luke Robinson added:

"It was an incredible opportunity to showcase my research to the Chancellor and head of MPLS. Serving as an ambassador for the ORI was not only a privilege, but the experience proved truly insightful - hearing their perspectives opened up new avenues for thinking about my project that I hadn't considered before."

Oxford Robotics Institute (ORI)

The Oxford Robotics Institute is a federation of research groups driven to change what robots can do for us. Interests are diverse – from grokking to grasping, from inspection to insertion, from delicate touches to driving, and from prospecting to planning.

In 2023, the Institute was recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its impact in autonomous robotic technologies including successful commercial partnerships that have brought ORI research into live deployment. Recent projects include Spot’s autonomous mapping of a decommissioned nuclear reactor, resulting in cost savings of over £500,000.

The Chancellor’s visit not only celebrated the strength of Oxford Engineering’s robotics community, but also reinforced the department’s commitment to fostering talent, collaboration, and research that delivers lasting societal benefit.