Business

Robot Exchange chooses Lisburn for new R&D hub

Invest NI director Vicky Kell with Andy Wallace of the Robot Exchange. Photo: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye
Invest NI director Vicky Kell with Andy Wallace of the Robot Exchange. Photo: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye Invest NI director Vicky Kell with Andy Wallace of the Robot Exchange. Photo: Kelvin Boyes/PressEye

AN English company specialising in robotics and automation is setting up a new R&D hub in Lisburn in a move which will lead to the creation of seven jobs.

The Robot Exchange, set up in Nottingham just over a year ago, is a specialist in robotic process automation (RPA) solutions facilitating the automation of repetitive tasks.

It is investing in a research and development project that will deliver innovation in the areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Robots are rapidly becoming a critical part of the modern workforce, with consultants PwC predicting that by the 2030s around a third of current jobs in the UK will be completed by robots.

Invest NI has set aside a £125,294 grant for the project, part of its wider support for R&D, where investment levels by Northern Ireland SMEs grew to £43 million in 2017.

The Robot Exchange uses RPA solutions to automate tasks such as back office administration, resulting in increased efficiencies and cost savings as well as freeing up staff to concentrate on higher value activities.

The company's chief executive Andy Wallace said: “Our RPA solution uses software robots to capture data and manipulate applications in the way a human would. They interpret, trigger responses and communicate with other software applications in order to perform a variety of repetitive tasks.

“This R&D project in Lisburn will involve designing, developing and testing new ways to organise and integrate systems for our RPA solution.

“We want to continue to provide an affordable and accessible route for businesses that are keen to adopt RPA to create efficiencies but are not in a position to invest heavily in skilled staff and licensing.

“We chose Northern Ireland as the location because of the availability of skilled developers and the support from Invest NI, who as well as providing financial assistance helped us to clarify our vision.”

Dr Vicky Kell, director of innovation, research & development at Invest NI, said: “The Robot Exchange recognises the importance of R&D to business growth and is investing early in its life cycle to stay ahead of the competition.

“Investment in R&D results in competitive advantage, increased sales and, consequently, growth.”