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Attendees at a technology showcase hosted by ��ҹѰ�� learned how robotics is changing the way environmental research and assessments are carried out.

��ҹѰ��’ Scientific Robotics Academy (SRA) demonstrated how drones, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and other related technology can be used for a variety of applications.

The event on 21^st February was described as a taster session, designed to highlight how the SRA can assist researchers, landowners, businesses and regulators in their environmental work.

Tailored to the 27 attendees, the one-day course introduced current and emerging robotic platform and sensor capabilities for environmental monitoring, and the significance of data management and processing to maximise results.

SRA project manager Libby Smith said the event was successful in raising awareness of ��ҹѰ��’ capabilities and how users of the technology can improve data collection to gain more accurate information on the environment.

She said: “We were delighted that attendees reflected a range of professions, including science, aquaculture, land management, local government, and conservation. This shows there is a huge role for robotic systems to play in assessing our environment.

“Use of robotic systems can give huge amounts of data that is both accurate and quickly captured. It is therefore important that we train and educate more people in their use and the SRA is ideally placed to do so.”

As well as showcasing ��ҹѰ��’ consultancy services and testing facilities, this taster session served as a prelude to the three-day commercial course at ��ҹѰ�� on the 11th-13th June, details of which will be shared via LinkedIn and the SRA website: /robotics/academy/

Arthur Hobhouse, landowner at Craignish Estate, attended the taster session to find out how robotics can help him develop his habitat restoration programme. He said: “I’m interested in doing the right thing with my land. I’m working with the farmer to encourage nature-friendly and regenerative farming and this technology can help.

“For example, we have GPS collars on livestock to track their movements in order to protect biodiversity and are using drones to undertake habitat mapping to help us understand best practice land use.”

Another attendee, Janina Costa from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre, said: “We have funded projects that use robotics and I want to better understand the potential of this technology, the applications it can be used for and the capabilities at ��ҹѰ��.”

The SRA, funded by the UK Government, aims to train the next generation of environmental and climate scientists in the capability and use of autonomous instrumented platforms.

It will also teach the present generation of engineers in the needs, desires and challenges of the marine science community who monitor the planet.