Latest news with #NationalRobotarium
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
How to make AI work for SMEs in Scotland
Why? Because the adoption gap isn't just technical, it's resourcing, skills, and fear of missteps. The risk of data leakage when using open AI platforms is real, and for small businesses without a CTO or data protection lead, the stakes feel too high. One mistake, an unintentional exposure of client information or commercial IP, and the verdict on AI becomes swift and damning: too risky, too complex: not for us. But there's another path. Rather than trying to out-build global tech giants on foundational models, we should focus on the application layer: building intelligent, domain-specific solutions for real-world tasks in professional services, manufacturing, construction, and every corner of the SME economy. This is where security, data residency, and usability matter most. The application layer is not a black box, it's an enabler, a multiplier of human potential. And it's where productivity gains lie, automating admin in accountancy firms, streamlining compliance for legal SMEs, or empowering trades businesses to quote, schedule, and invoice intelligently. To unlock this we need to support SMEs with AI adoption, and we must build an army of application layer AI specialists who understand both the tech and the SME business reality. These will be AI-empowered consultants, digital champions, and implementation experts who can deploy secure, right-sized solutions that work in the messy, fragmented, under-pressure environments where SMEs live. A Scotland that leads in application layer AI would not only boost productivity and competitiveness across our domestic economy; it would export that know-how globally, earning a reputation for practical, high-impact innovation. In AI world, six months of delay is like losing 3.5 years of competitive edge. We simply cannot wait for market forces alone to tease this future into existence. To stay in the race, Scotland must: Invest in SME enablement programmes , not just grand strategies. , not just grand strategies. Fund AI application bootcamps , fellowships, and placement schemes to develop AI practitioners for the frontlines. , fellowships, and placement schemes to develop AI practitioners for the frontlines. Establish secure AI platforms that SMEs can trust - with data controls, auditability, and domain-specific plugins. that SMEs can trust - with data controls, auditability, and domain-specific plugins. Promote success stories of safe, effective AI in everyday businesses, showing not what's possible in theory, but what's already working in practice. The National Robotarium and AI Scotland programme are the seeds of something powerful. But to grow them, we must now irrigate the fields - especially in the SME landscape, where the economic multiplier is highest and the support is lowest. Let's not wait for the future to happen. Let's shape it, securely and boldly, from the ground up. Dr Brian Williamson is the Chief Strategy Officer at Kreoh, specialising in the application layer of AI. Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@
The Herald Scotland
16-05-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Why creativity is key to realising Scotland's tech potential
It all feels like something that has been built to help bridge the present and the future, which makes sense, because this is the National Robotarium, a multi-million facility funded by the UK and Scottish Governments through the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal. For many, the name will conjure up images of hermetically sealed, sci-fi inspired laboratories filled with men and women glued to code-filled computer screens. Some might assume that a place like this is concerned with theoretical advancements from people with narrow but hugely advanced specialisms. The reality is quite different. Ultimately, the people who come to work here every day are in the problem-solving business, and success is just as much about creativity as it is technical knowledge. In one section of the building, a full mock-up of an assisted living home has been created in order to explore solutions to existing, real-world problems. Idea to make life easier for people in need of support, such as assistance robots that can follow people around, or worktops that are automatically height-adjustable, are conceived, developed and tested here using some of the world's most advanced robotic and AI technology. Along another corridor, an expert is working on a medical diagnostic machine that will hopefully enable diseases such as Parkinson's to be detected much earlier; in a large workshop space, a team is developing an advanced machine to sort recycling more effectively and efficiently. Scotland has an extensive history in developing new ideas and technologies to solve problems, and many believe that it can once again be a world leader in the field, but the country is struggling to create the networks and pathways necessary to turn that dream into a reality. Problems with access to, and uptake of, some STEM subjects – especially Computing Science and Design & Manufacture – are well known, but some argue that a subject-specific solution to this particular real-world problem isn't the answer. According to Blair Wilson, Industry and School Engagement Lead at the National Robotarium, an alternative approach – project based learning – might be better suited to this particular task. He name-checks a number of such scheme – LEGO League, F1 in Schools, Vex Robotics – that allow students to combine their learning from various different subjects with their real world interests, before pointing out that the National Robotarium also hosts its own programmes: 'We have an event tomorrow called the First Tech Challenge. It allows students to explore subjects in an environment where you're in a team, so you're not necessarily failing if you don't understand something, and every year there's a different theme which relates to the real world. So you could be talking about archaeology, health, underwater science. The project takes your team through the whole engineering process, the whole design process, and includes things like fundraising, communication and teamwork. It teaches you in a way that is transferable to a working environment, because these are the things that happen in the real world of work.' 'I would say definitely the way that the world is going in terms of the world work, the careers available - coming out of high school with five A's in the Highers is great. But having a couple of Highers, and a skill set that is transferable to the world of work or to the world of college or university or apprenticeships, currently is probably a little bit more valuable.' Put simply, Wilson argues we don't need schools to create exam-answering machines with high grades – we need them to create learners with real interests and creative curiosity. Wilson points out that even at the very top of the field, creativity is vital. Disney, he explains, employs a team of 'hardcore roboticists' to develop technology for theme parks and films. Their job title is 'imagineer'. He explains that one of his colleagues, who is currently working on a type of pet-like robot to support and monitor people living alone, previously worked in high fashion, but that many of the creative and developmental skills he acquired in that industry transferred brilliantly to working in robotics and AI. In order for Scotland to realise its potential and take a leading role in a rapidly changing world, the country will have to produce people who can examine complex problems and conceptualise new solutions that cut across traditional divisions. Wilson says that we need people who are driven to 'explore', and who can be creative in the pursuit of solutions to real-world problems. 'But the key word there is create.'
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Can robots like Roxy revolutionise cancer surgery?
In operating theatre D at Glasgow's Royal Infirmary, gynaecological oncologist Dr Kevin Burton is directing four arms of a robot, affectionately named Roxy. The robot's mechanical arms, with surgical instruments attached to them, have been placed inside Dr Burton's patient through small cuts in the abdomen. The surgeon crosses the operating theatre to a console that would look more at home in an arcade and sits down. Dr Burton looks through a viewfinder and, with a joystick and foot pedals, he begins manipulating instruments. He is entirely in control of the robot as he cuts through tissue, avoiding important nerves and blood vessels as he searches deep into the pelvis for potentially cancerous lymph nodes. It is now more than five years since I first witnessed robot surgeons in action at the Golden Jubilee hospital in Clydebank. Surgeons say the contribution of robotic assisted surgery since then cannot be overstated. This week, First Minister John Swinney spoke at Scotland's National Robotarium to pledge that innovation and technology would be one of three key platforms for reforming the NHS. Artificial intelligence is the latest tool to assist with diagnostics, and a new digital app is promised to improve patient access. But what role might robots like Roxy play? Robotic surgery has been expanding in Scotland since it was first introduced in Grampian in 2015. Companies such as Versius, Mako and Rosa have supplied robots to health boards to assist with specialties such as thoracic, urology and pancreatic surgery. More recently some hospitals are using robots for orthopaedics. In 2021, the Scottish government invested £20m purchasing 12 da Vinci robots, primarily to develop cancer surgery, particularly in areas such as womb cancer or bowel cancer, the specialisms with the highest rates of open surgery. Surgeons say robotic assisted surgery (RAS) is transforming their ability to perform delicate and complex cancer surgery - with faster recovery for patients. But so far RAS is responsible for only around 1% of the total number of operations carried out on the NHS in Scotland and further investment would be expensive, with the cost of a da Vinci robot in the region of £1.7m plus running costs. Prof Graham Mackay is the clinical lead for the West of Scotland Cancer Centre and also a colorectal surgeon. He tells me that across Scotland they are seeing huge benefits from RAS. Rates of open surgery have dropped from about 70% to 30% in the past three years and it has almost halved the length of stay in hospital for patients, who also experience fewer complications. Prof Mackay says expanding the programme to other areas would help ease pressure on hospitals. "There are still a number of hospitals that don't have this technology," he says. "There are other cancer types which we're not treating yet by this and certainly from what we've seen in bowel cancer, this has really been the biggest step forward in surgical care that I've seen during my career. "What we want is that for all cancer patients, where they can benefit from it, to be benefiting." Isobel Morrison is one patient who has benefited from RAS. The 84-year-old required a hysterectomy to treat womb cancer but thanks to Roxy, was able to get home the day after her surgery in time to celebrate her 60th wedding anniversary. Isobel said: "I called him the Tin Man, and just said he'd done a good job. "I woke up, and didn't realise I'd even had it, "When the doctors happened to be in the ward, I said 'Excuse me, have I had my operation? And they said yes'. "So then I got home the next day, and I felt absolutely fine." Back in surgery and Dr Burton's operation has reached a delicate stage. Lymph nodes are cut away, and, still inside the patient's body, they are neatly put into a bag that will be removed by theatre nurses through the vagina. Dr Burton says the robot is "fantastic" and has "massive advantages" over traditional open or keyhole surgery. He says: "Robotic surgery gives you a really immersed close-up view, a really steady view, and has a 3D element to the vision which allows you do really complex tasks." He says higher obesity rates have been directly linked to an increase in gynaecological cancers and robotic assisted surgery enables surgeons to operate on patients who are so overweight that they would previously have been considered inoperable. Dr Burton says that without doubt RAS has the potential to save money for the NHS. "If we can get patients in hospital for less time, that frees up more beds for patients," he says. "So when you get a winter bed crisis, for example, we have more beds, we have more doctors and more nurses to actually deliver the care needed." In 2021, with post-pandemic backlogs mounting, the government saw robots as playing a central role in the remobilisation of the NHS. But technology moves fast and ministers need to choose which innovations will deliver most impact for less cost, when health board budgets are under more pressure than ever. The current plans talk of better use of data to increase productivity as well as innovations in genetic testing to better target of medications. Digital support for mental health, dermatology and the management of long-term conditions is also planned as well as a new Scottish health and social care app. So who can say whether more Roxies are set to join Scotland's NHS robot surgery team? The NHS robots performing major surgery Swinney pledges action to bring down NHS waits
BBC News
30-01-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Can robots like Roxy revolutionise cancer surgery in Scotland?
In operating theatre D at Glasgow's Royal Infirmary, gynaecological oncologist Dr Kevin Burton is directing four arms of a robot, affectionately named robot's mechanical arms, with surgical instruments attached to them, have been placed inside Dr Burton's patient through small cuts in the surgeon crosses the operating theatre to a console that would look more at home in an arcade and sits down. Dr Burton looks through a viewfinder and, with a joystick and foot pedals, he begins manipulating instruments. He is entirely in control of the robot as he cuts through tissue, avoiding important nerves and blood vessels as he searches deep into the pelvis for potentially cancerous lymph nodes. It is now more than five years since I first witnessed robot surgeons in action at the Golden Jubilee hospital in say the contribution of robotic assisted surgery since then cannot be week, First Minister John Swinney spoke at Scotland's National Robotarium to pledge that innovation and technology would be one of three key platforms for reforming the NHS. Artificial intelligence is the latest tool to assist with diagnostics, and a new digital app is promised to improve patient access. But what role might robots like Roxy play? Robotic surgery has been expanding in Scotland since it was first introduced in Grampian in 2015. Companies such as Versius, Mako and Rosa have supplied robots to health boards to assist with specialties such as thoracic, urology and pancreatic surgery. More recently some hospitals are using robots for 2021, the Scottish government invested £20m purchasing 12 da Vinci robots, primarily to develop cancer surgery, particularly in areas such as womb cancer or bowel cancer, the specialisms with the highest rates of open say robotic assisted surgery (RAS) is transforming their ability to perform delicate and complex cancer surgery - with faster recovery for so far RAS is responsible for only around 1% of the total number of operations carried out on the NHS in Scotland and further investment would be expensive, with the cost of a da Vinci robot in the region of £1.7m plus running costs. Prof Graham Mackay is the clinical lead for the West of Scotland Cancer Centre and also a colorectal surgeon. He tells me that across Scotland they are seeing huge benefits from RAS. Rates of open surgery have dropped from about 70% to 30% in the past three years and it has almost halved the length of stay in hospital for patients, who also experience fewer Mackay says expanding the programme to other areas would help ease pressure on hospitals."There are still a number of hospitals that don't have this technology," he says. "There are other cancer types which we're not treating yet by this and certainly from what we've seen in bowel cancer, this has really been the biggest step forward in surgical care that I've seen during my career. "What we want is that for all cancer patients, where they can benefit from it, to be benefiting." Isobel Morrison is one patient who has benefited from RAS. The 84-year-old required a hysterectomy to treat womb cancer but thanks to Roxy, was able to get home the day after her surgery in time to celebrate her 60th wedding said: "I called him the Tin Man, and just said he'd done a good job. "I woke up, and didn't realise I'd even had it, "When the doctors happened to be in the ward, I said 'Excuse me, have I had my operation? And they said yes'. "So then I got home the next day, and I felt absolutely fine." Back in surgery and Dr Burton's operation has reached a delicate stage. Lymph nodes are cut away, and, still inside the patient's body, they are neatly put into a bag that will be removed by theatre nurses through the Burton says the robot is "fantastic" and has "massive advantages" over traditional open or keyhole says: "Robotic surgery gives you a really immersed close-up view, a really steady view, and has a 3D element to the vision which allows you do really complex tasks."He says higher obesity rates have been directly linked to an increase in gynaecological cancers and robotic assisted surgery enables surgeons to operate on patients who are so overweight that they would previously have been considered Burton says that without doubt RAS has the potential to save money for the NHS."If we can get patients in hospital for less time, that frees up more beds for patients," he says. "So when you get a winter bed crisis, for example, we have more beds, we have more doctors and more nurses to actually deliver the care needed." In 2021, with post-pandemic backlogs mounting, the government saw robots as playing a central role in the remobilisation of the technology moves fast and ministers need to choose which innovations will deliver most impact for less cost, when health board budgets are under more pressure than current plans talk of better use of data to increase productivity as well as innovations in genetic testing to better target of support for mental health, dermatology and the management of long-term conditions is also planned as well as a new Scottish health and social care who can say whether more Roxies are set to join Scotland's NHS robot surgery team?
The Independent
27-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Patients not getting right care in right place at right time, says Swinney
Patients in Scotland are not getting 'the right care in the right place at the right time', John Swinney has said. The First Minister laid out a plan to improve Scotland's ailing health service in a speech in Edinburgh on Monday, where he said waiting times for treatment were a 'canary in the coal mine'. Scotland has struggled with high waiting times in recent years, exacerbated by the pandemic, including in A&E, outpatient procedures and other hospital treatment – where hundreds of thousands are languishing on waiting lists. Mr Swinney told an audience at the National Robotarium there were 'crises' facing parts of the NHS, but refused to say later when asked by journalists if the whole service itself was in crisis. The First Minister announced plans to provide 150,000 more appointments and procedures, as well as a £10.5 million increase in funding for GPs as well as a pledge to give more funding to primary care in the future, and pledging the creation of 'frailty teams' to be at every A&E in the country to help those who could 'bypass' emergency departments and free up capacity. In his speech, the First Minister said: 'The first and most important thing on many people's minds is how long it can take to access services: delays in access with waiting times too long, and delays in discharge because appropriate at-home or in-community care is not available. 'The two, of course, are fundamentally connected. 'Last year, I referred to delayed discharge as the canary in the coal mine of our National Health Service – I think of waiting times in much the same way. John Swinney, First Minister 'Both of these delays tell us that the flow of people through the health system is not happening as it should. 'Put more simply – people are not getting the right care in the right place at the right time. 'That is not acceptable to me, it is not acceptable to my Government.' He added: 'It is the very definition of a vicious circle and it has to come to an end.' The proposals he laid out on Monday, the First Minister said, were 'tangible improvements that we can and will deliver'. As part of the plans to reduce waiting lists, Mr Swinney suggested turning some facilities: including Stracathro Hospital in Brechin; Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow; and the Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline; into 'centres of excellence' in certain procedures such as cataracts or orthopaedics, providing transport support to patients to access the facilities, if necessary. With the waiting list for procedures or tests sitting at more than 600,000 as of September 30, the First Minister told reporters after the speech he believed the backlog could be eliminated. 'It will be cleared,' he said. 'We will get the health service into a state of sustainability.' In its budget announced in December, the Scottish Government pledged to reduce waiting times to less than 12 months for every Scot by 2026. An app will also be created for the NHS in Scotland under the plans, which he described as the 'digital front door' to the health service. 'Over time, it will become an ever more central, ever more important access and managing point for care in Scotland,' he said. The service will be trialled in NHS Lanarkshire first before a full rollout. The First Minister, who again called for MSPs to back his Government's budget despite it being all but assured to pass due to the abstention of Scottish Labour, told NHS staff that while they will be the ones delivering NHS reforms, 'it must also work for you' as he cautioned that 'more laps of the track' will be required. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie hit out at the First Minister after the speech, saying: 'John Swinney talks about the pressure on Scotland's NHS like he's just noticed it – but he's had nearly 18 years to improve conditions in our GP surgeries and hospitals. 'Indeed, this speech only shows how clearly the 2021 SNP Recovery Plan has failed.' While Scottish Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said the health service was in 'permanent crisis mode'. '(The First Minister) has been at the heart of an SNP government for the last 18 years who have grossly mismanaged the health service, yet now he expects suffering patients and overwhelmed staff to believe he has all the answers to fix this crisis,' he said. 'That simply won't wash with them. The failures by John Swinney and successive health secretaries mean that patients' lives are being put at risk every single day, hundreds of thousands of Scots are stuck on waiting lists and SNP promises in relation to the NHS have been broken time and time again.' BMA Scotland chairman Dr Iain Kennedy added there is still a lack of detail in the plan, adding: 'Previous pledges to increase capacity have not come to fruition, not least because such plans need the staff in place to deliver them. 'Yet at the moment, doctors are struggling to cope with simply keeping up with demand. 'It shows yet again that no plan for the NHS will work without a proper long-term workforce plan to ensure we have the staff needed to deliver it.' While trade union Unison accused the First Minister of delivering the 'same old promises'. 'The First Minister's renewal framework, launched today, doesn't begin to tackle the social care crisis, and staff will be angry after he said they 'need to do more laps of the track',' said the union's co-lead for health Matt McLaughlin. 'NHS staff are working flat out, and they want to know what the Government will do now to tackle short staffing, over capacity and workforce stress – so they can get on delivering for patients.'
