Highlands and Islands Enterprise is set to host Scotland’s first ever showcase of automation and robotics in Inverness.

The free event, held at An Lochran, Inverness Campus, on 6th and 7th February, will contextualise the current trends and advances in robotics and automation.

Through a series of seminars, demonstrations and workshops, the showcase will demonstrate how a range of industries, from manufacturing and engineering to construction and timber can benefit from advances in robotics, boost productivity and help improve efficiency.

Demonstrations will include a range of robots and cobots (collaborative robots), such as the Universal Robots UR5 cobot and Sawyer’s smart cobot, which can be trained to carry out tasks with great efficiency.

April Conory, #hellodigital’s Project Manager at HIE, said: “Automation is changing the way we work and creating new opportunities for businesses but there’s also the risk of being left behind. Education in this area is key and our event offers businesses the chance to gain access to current and future tech and so they can make more informed decisions about how to invest.

“This event will bring a real sense of what the future of manufacturing looks like and where the opportunities lie for businesses. Through panel discussions, tech demonstrations, innovative showcases and structured networking, we’re offering the perfect platform for identifying mutually beneficial collaborative partnerships.”

Speakers such as Professor David Lane from the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics will discuss the current revolution in manufacturing, while SP Technology’s Roy Henderson will map out the process of automation production.

George Paterson from Mitsubishi Electric will also host a talk explaining the pros and cons of robot arms compared to collaborative robots.

Related: Scottish Robotics Leading the Way

Attendees will also hear from Dr Cade Wells from Glasgow-based innovation centre CENSIS, explaining the real-life application of sensors and the ‘internet of things’.

A workshop hosted on day two by Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) will outline the type of automation and robotics solutions available to the construction and manufacturing industries.