City 'becoming a hub for robotics industries'

THE business landscape of Plymouth is changing, with the city becoming a hub for robotics, writes Cherie Gordon.

That's the finding of a new report which also predicts that the economic downturn, increased emphasis on internationalisation and changing demands on business will alter the region's 'business map'.

Simon Norman, operations manager at robotics company Merlin Systems Corporation, said the news was fantastic for the city.

"This is a pretty exciting time," said Mr Norman.

"I think Plymouth and the South West will become a major hub for technology as well as robotics.

"The greatest, brightest people will want to come here to work and enjoy the lifestyle."

Merlin Systems, based at the Derriford Business Park, creates robotic technology for colleges and universities around the world as well as in the UK.

In the past the company has produced a robotic dancing snake and helped Reading University to create a robot with a brain using rat brain neurons.

Mr Norman said the team was currently trialling a new type of Bluetooth technology used to promote businesses and help them reach their target audience.

"Called proximity marketing, the technology sends out marketing information to people's mobile phones within 80 to 150 metres.

"We've trialled it at the Ride Cafe/Bar and with RedRok and it's going really well. This is a really exciting time for us."

The HSBC Future of Business report, released yesterday also highlights the mood of city businesses, saying 64 per cent would most like to see a drop in red tape and bureaucracy in the future. In addition, it noted that nearly half of all companies in Plymouth believed people were choosing to undertake freelance and self-employed work to help them become more flexible in the workplace.

It also showed that Cornwall could become a centre for renewable energies.

The report, which was based on input from 18 industry experts and data from 500 entrepreneurs and decision-makers in 17 UK cities, also names Edinburgh, Birmingham, London and Manchester as areas which will become robotic hubs.

Dr Guido Bugmann, reader in robotics at Plymouth University, said there was a strong foundation of companies already set up in the city.

"This will be really good for Plymouth," he said.

"We're one of the first universities to offer robotics courses in the country, and with Merlin Systems doing well and Engineered Arts based in Cornwall with a worldwide market, it's good to be ready."

Dr Bugmann said Plymouth's robotics future would also help to increase the number of students enrolling on the course in the city.

If the city had a good robotic reputation it would attract students and businesses, he said, which was quite important.

"Robots in people's homes is predicted to be the car industry of the future, so I think it's important that we place ourselves in that market and show our skills and research in what is an exciting area," he added.