There are also the environmental benefits to consider. As a general rule, automation improves resource efficiency by minimising waste and optimising material use. Automated gigafactories also integrate renewable energy systems and smart energy management to reduce the carbon footprint of production.
The automated road ahead
Automation requires significant upfront costs in robotics, software, and training. Operators and maintenance workers need advanced skills to manage automated systems, highlighting the importance of workforce training. The Committee report was right to recommend investment in training and upskilling, as well as financial support.
The Catapult Scheme could be key in helping UK manufacturing embrace automation. The scheme is a network of innovation centres designed to drive the development and commercialisation of new technologies. We recently showcased XPlanar, an intelligent transport system using magnetic levitation technology, at the National Manufacturing Institute in
Scotland, a state-of-the-art facility that has received funding through the Catapult Scheme. Technologies like this will play a role in support the automation needs of UK gigafactories.
These centres bridge the gap between academic research and industry, helping to turn ideas into products and services that contribute to economic growth. The programme is overseen by Innovate UK, the government’ s innovation agency. The High- Value Manufacturing Catapult and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre( UKBIC), part of the scheme, are particularly relevant to the UK’ s efforts in developing gigafactories.
Increasing battery manufacturing capacity to meet future demand and remain competitive in a global market will require a concerted effort from multiple stakeholders in the UK government and economy. If the goal is to be achieved, it will require increased automation in UK manufacturing. Wider adoption of automation technologies, while not automatically solving the gigafactory gap, can surely help steer us in the right direction.
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