Professor Michael Fisher from the University’s Department of Computer Science has been awarded a highly prestigious Chair in Emerging Technologies by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Awarded to “engineering global visionaries”, the Chair provides long term support to lead on developing emerging technology areas with the potential to deliver economic and social benefit to the UK.
Professor Fisher will use his £1.3M award to concentrate his efforts on developing autonomous systems, such as autonomous robots, vehicles, and software, all of which are set to have a profound impact on our society in the future.
Professor Fisher, who is also Director of the University’s Centre for Autonomous System Technology, said: “It is an honour to have been selected by the Royal Academy of Engineering for this award. This Chair recognises our core vision of ensuring autonomous systems are of direct benefit to society. With this prestigious award, our research team will be able to accelerate its investigations into not only safe and reliable, but ethical and responsible, autonomous systems.”
Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng FRS, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “The new technological areas advanced by our Chairs in Emerging Technologies have the potential to transform our everyday lives, as well as positively impact to the UK’s economy and generate new sources of wealth. Engineering is critical to achieving the goals of the UK government’s industrial strategy, and investment in emerging technologies means that we can secure our footing in important future markets.
“For these technologies to reach their full potential it is important to invest in the pioneering individuals who advocate for them, as without their vision and foresight it is difficult to identify the products and services of tomorrow.”
Professor Fisher’s research focuses on tackling verification, autonomy, robotics, and sensor-rich systems particularly related to the UK’s Industrial Strategy, and his work takes part within the Autonomy and Verification Lab within the University.
His knowledge of the principles and processes behind the reliability, safety and quality of autonomous systems is being used to develop autonomous machines and robots for environments from outer space, to the deep sea and the nuclear industry. He is also applying this expertise to develop robots for use within the medical and social care sectors and to help support an ageing community.
Professor Fisher’s Chair in Emerging Technologies is one of nine new Chairs announced by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
You can find out more about Professor Fisher’s individual research here >>>>
You can find out more about the work of the Autonomy and Verification Lab here >>>>
Find out more about the Royal Academy of Engineering here >>>>>