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Improving Lives Through New Technology

Posted on 10 July 2019

AI and robotics have the potential to transform the way we live, travel and work – from driverless cars to assistive robots in the home and in hospitals.

In order to use these new technologies to improve lives, we need to know they are safe.  That is why philanthropy is supporting the University of York to establish a new £35m research facility for safety of robotics and autonomous systems.

In 2018 the University of York launched the Assuring Autonomy International Programme, funded by a £10m donation from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation to address these challenges. With this philanthropic partnership as a foundation, we have been able to secure further capital funding from Research England and an additional £14.5m from a network of collaborative industrial partners and private donors, including alumni, to create the York Global Initiative for Safe Autonomy.

The Initiative will house specialist laboratories and testing facilities, bringing together York’s expertise across design, assurance, and communications technologies. It will enable industrial partners and world-leading experts in the field to collaboratively address global challenges in assuring the safety of robotics and autonomous systems. 

Through York Unlimited, we are creating new ways for science and technology to help society and address global challenges. We recognise that for all to be included in the possibilities of the future will require more than technological brilliance: it will require responsibility and compassion. If you share our vision of a safer world for all, we warmly welcome opportunities for partnership and donations to further our work. 

By supporting the Global Initiative for Safe Autonomy you can support students, visiting fellowships, and innovative research projects. To find out more about supporting the initiative, contact Paul Tyack.

Find out more: https://www.york.ac.uk/safe-autonomy/news/35m-research-facility/ 

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