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The Robotics and Automation theme focuses on the design, development, and analysis of robotic and automation systems and underlying technologies, for a wide range of applications in the service and industrial sectors ranging from artificial hands and prosthetics to the development of new mechatronic testing and fabrication techniques. Key, and internationally recognised competences have been developed in the following areas:

• Analysis of human and artificial dexterous hands  
• The study and quantification of manual dexterity
• The development of a prosthetic hand for transradial upper limb amputees
• The design and development of dexterous artificial hands, and of glove input devices for the remote manipulation of these hands
• The concept of a robot-inclusive space, and the development of a domestic robot that can function in such an environment.
• The analysis and improvement of the actuation approach and of the simplicity, dexterity and usability (SDU) of compact multi degree-of-freedom (CMDOF) mechatronic devices
• The development of innovative sensors and actuators; and the study and development of reconfigurable automation systems
• The design, development and commissioning of automatic experimental data gathering testing systems used to validate numerical models and various innovative conceptual innovative fabrication techniques, systems and components
• Development of new automatic fabrication techniques to complement the needs of the future industrial requirements.

Other research under this theme has included various automation projects in partnership with industry, particularly in the plastics and medical devices manufacturing industry, and the study of reconfigurable automated manufacturing systems.