Sheffield Hallam University has launched a new Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CEAIR), bringing together academic expertise, industry and public-sector partners to develop practical and ‘responsible’ applications of AI and robotics across areas including healthcare, advanced manufacturing and public services.
The Centre was officially launched by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard at an event this month, attended by regional industry leaders, public-sector partners and researchers.
Led by Professor Alessandro Di Nuovo, Professor of Machine Intelligence at Sheffield Hallam, CEAIR builds on the University’s existing research strengths in areas including embodied AI, intelligent collaborative robotics, neuromorphic computing and responsible innovation. Its work will focus on applied research, innovation, knowledge exchange and skills development.
Core to the Centre’s work is the development of AI and robotics that is human-centred and responsible, with a focus on technologies that can address practical challenges and deliver social and economic benefits.
Speaking at the launch, Professor Di Nuovo said:
“Artificial intelligence and robotics have enormous potential to transform the way we live and work, but it is vital that these technologies are developed responsibly and with people at their centre.
“Our new Centre of Excellence will bring together expertise from across disciplines and work closely with industry, public services and communities to address real-world challenges. From supporting healthcare and developing the manufacturing technologies of the future to creating more responsive public services, our ambition is to ensure that advances in AI and robotics deliver meaningful benefits for society.”
From research to real-world applications
The Centre will bring together researchers from across Sheffield Hallam and work with external partners on applications including healthcare, manufacturing, logistics and public services.
Projects already associated with the University’s research in this area include work on socially interactive autonomous robots, healthcare robotics and AI tools designed to support clinical decision-making. One example is the €7.3 million Horizon Europe-funded PRIMI project, launched in 2024 to develop socially interactive robots using technology inspired by the human brain, with applications including rehabilitation for stroke survivors.
The Centre also aims to strengthen connections between academic research and the region’s technology and business communities.
This was evident at the launch, according to Sheffield-based AI and robotics specialist Alex Kelly, who attended the event. Writing on LinkedIn afterwards, Alex highlighted the range of research being showcased, including dementia screening, human-robot trust, multi-robot coordination, event-camera vision and secure robot authentication.
“The strongest theme of the day was simple: AI and robotics should augment people, not replace them,” Alex shared.
He also highlighted the importance of connecting research with practical deployment, particularly through stronger relationships between universities, industry and local technology communities.
“The gap between university research and real-world deployment came up repeatedly. Stronger links with industry, communities and local builders will be critical.”
For Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire region, the Centre provides another focal point for collaboration around technologies that are likely to have an increasing role in the region’s economy and public services.
And for Sheffield’s growing AI and robotics community, the launch creates another opportunity to connect researchers, businesses, engineers and public-sector organisations around the development and application of these technologies.
As Alex concluded: “The more of us at the table, the better this future gets built.”
Sheffield Digital is pleased to see Sheffield Hallam University continuing to invest in the city’s technology and innovation ecosystem, and we look forward to seeing how CEAIR develops and contributes to the region’s AI and robotics community.
To find out more visit the website for Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre of Excellence for AI and Robotics.