Leeds engineers continue success in robotics
A collaboration between Leeds academics and a Yorkshire-based company has won an award for its impact in engineering and robotics.
Dr David Keeling (r) and Mr Justin Gallagher (c) receiving the award
Dr David Keeling and Mr Justin Gallagher of the University of Leeds and founders of a Leeds-based Engineering company, Key Engineering Solutions Ltd, continued Leeds’ unrivalled success at the 2014 Engineering Impact Awards competition hosted by National Instruments (NI) in Austin, Texas.
Their entry, in collaboration with Yorkshire-based company James Fisher Nuclear, beat off first-class entries from around the world to become a finalist in the Machine Control Category - Controlling a Robotic Manipulator for Nuclear Decommissioning.
Visiting lecturer Dr Keeling and current PhD student Mr Justin Gallagher worked with James Fisher Nuclear to develop a modular robotic arm for remote handling tasks in nuclear decommissioning applications, which represent some of the most hazardous environments on the planet.
Watch the robotic arm in action:
Their company, Key Engineering Solutions Ltd, was formed four years ago and specialises in delivering complete solutions for test systems and product development.
Long-standing collaboration between NI and the University of Leeds has allowed us to see, first hand, how the University is setting the standard for hands-on, experiential learning." said Robert Morton, Vice President, NI Europe.
"The success of Leeds alumni in industry, reflected in this recognition at the global Engineering Impact Awards, not only validates this practical approach to education, but also highlights the University of Leeds as a world-leading hotbed of engineering talent."
This builds on previous success of our undergraduates students who reached the finals of the student design competition in 2011, 2012 and again 2013 and research students who won multiple awards in 2009 and 2012 for innovative research in rehabilitation robotics and a human heart simulator.
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