Milton Keynes will host the popular European Smart City Robotics competition for a second time later this year.
The announcement comes after a rigorous selection process that considered several other cities across Europe before centre:mk was selected.
Organised by the European Robotics League (ERL), the annual competition challenges teams of researches and engineers that can perform a range of tasks in real-world scenarios. The competition is divided into several challenges, each focusing on a specific aspect of robotics, such as perception and navigation.
The September 2023 ERL competition will be the fourth edition of the event and is expected to attract hundreds of participants from across Europe and beyond.
The event will take place in centre:mk and the City Council is working closely alongside the major shopping centre and other partners. Centre:mk is a key part of the city centre’s offer with over 21 million footfall every year and ranks among the top ten national retail and leisure destinations in the UK.
Leader of MK City Council, Cllr Pete Marland says, “It’s no coincidence that Milton Keynes is repeatedly selected for events like this – it’s because we’re a modern, forward-thinking smart city and the home of some industry leading robotic firms. We’ll work closely with centre:mk on the competition, which we know will attract the best and brightest minds, and we’ll be prepared to show them all of the cutting-edge research and development that’s happening in our city.”
The 2023 ERL competition is expected to generate significant economic benefits for Milton Keynes, including tourism, job creation and opportunities for local businesses.
The competition will take place from 18 to 22 September 2023, and further details about the event will be announced in due course. For more information, please visit the ERL website.
