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EUREKA Robotics Centre

EUREKA Robotics Centre

Two students work on a circuit board sat at a computer desk Two students work on a circuit board sat at a computer desk
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EUREKA Robotics Centre

EUREKA, part of the Cardiff School of Technologies, is one of the UK’s leading research centres in robotics, specialising in social and service humanoid robots, and AI.

It partners with national and international collaborators across industry, higher education and the public sector, including organisations based in Malaysia, Europe, Pakistan, Indonesia, China and India.

Closer to home, the Centre has developed seven Tokku Zones (designated areas where robots can be tested and developed in public environments) throughout Wales and Asia.

Regularly contributing to national policies, good practices and guidance on humanoid robotics, the Centre plays a critical role in shaping the future of robotics in the UK. It has contributed to, and reviewed, the 2025 national Rapid Technology Assessments for Humanoids and Robotics, which were produced by the UK’s Government Office for Science.

The Centre has also been recognised by the Digital Technology Cluster (DTC), part of the UK Government, as one of 11 specialist centres in the UK equipped with cutting-edge facilities that enable collaboration between industry and academia. It was also listed as a leading research centre where ‘long-term care robotics research and development’ take place.

It is a member of the prominent UK-RAS and Network Committee and a leader in the Partnership in Equality (PIE) for Women programme, whose educational robotics STEM workshops have reached over 30,000 members of the public, including women, girls and Orang Asli (indigenous people).

The Centre also offers training, consultancy and a range of robotic services to organisations worldwide – in particular, hospitals, care homes and universities. To learn more, please contact Dr Jiaji Yang (Jack) or Dr Esyin Chew.

Groups and lab centres

HRaaS (Healthcare Robotics as a Service) is a service hub with ethical human-robot experimental zones and Intelligent Robot (IR) Maker Lab for 3D design and 3D printing for robot parts.

It is led by Dr Esyin Chew and Dr Jack Yang, and funded by Welsh Government, numerous health boards and the British Council.

This group uses humanoid robots in the UK and abroad for STEM outreach activities.

It is led by Dr Sia Chow Siing, Aveen Najm, Dr Catherine Tryfona and Dr Esyin Chew (founder), and funded by the Alan Turing Institute, British Council and Eureka project grants.

Led by Dr Wai-keung Fung, this group researches fundamental problems in autonomous robots, multi-robot systems and human-robot collaboration.

This includes mapping, navigation, planning, control, localisation, simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM), uncertainty handling and adaptation to novel environments using AI and machine learning techniques.

They study ground, underwater and aerial robots, as well as robot manipulators and humanoids.

Led by Dr Barry Bently, this group focuses on:

  • Medical imaging – Analysing microscopy, X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound scans to improve medical diagnostics and medical imaging technology
  • Applied bioengineering – Developing systems for biosensing and laboratory automation, including technologies to preserve organs for transplantation
  • Computational biology and AI – Developing mathematical models, simulations and AI systems for biological research and medical technologies
  • Medical systems and policy – Researching policy and health systems, which includes the classification and staging of ageing-related pathologies

To find out more about the group’s dissertation projects and internships, please email bioengineering@cardiffmet.co.uk.

This group is led by Dr Shadan Khattak, Dr Esyin Chew (founder), Dr Sia Chow Siing, Dr Jack Yang, Dr Wai-keung Fung, Aveen Najm and Sarah McVey.

Funded by the British Council, The Alan Turing Institute, Taith and several global university partners, it focuses on corporate social responsibility for underprivileged communities, including women and girls, Orang Asli, refugees and individuals with special needs.

Specialist facilities

The Centre harnesses the latest advancements in robotics technology, using a diverse range of specialist equipment and facilities to support its research.

It has two physical labs at Cardiff Met and four satellite labs in Malaysia. These labs house over 120 service-social robots and mobile robots, robotics simulation and accessories, specialist AI software, modelling, visualisation and analytics integrated development environments (IDEs).

Its facilities include MATLAB and Simulink software, robotics simulation and machine learning, advanced AR kit, mobile and wearable devices and more than 30 high specs computers and laptops.

The Centre also has access to video conference facilities, Clevertouch interactive touchscreen displays, as well as industrial grade and educational 3D printers for its members to build the parts of the robots.

Take a tour of the Cardiff Met Robotics Lab or learn more about the facilities at the Cardiff School of Technologies.

Meet EUREKA’s robots

If you’d like to learn more about our research, or arrange a robot demonstration or summer school, please contact:

Funding

The Centre has a range of current research projects and new research applications that involve the following organisations: