Professor Yvan Petillot

Professor Yvan Petillot is the joint academic lead of the National Robotarium and Chair of the Robotics and Autonomous Systems theme of the Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering.

I’m a professor of robotics and autonomous systems at Heriot-Watt University specialising in field robotics. I have a strong interest in technology transfer and engagement with industry and co-founded SeeByte Ltd in 2001, which is now a world leader in marine autonomy solutions. As Chief Technology Officer for the company until 2010, I coordinated the commercial application of university research.

That is why I’m delighted to be part of the creation of the National Robotarium, which will play a major role in accelerating the commercial development of autonomous systems. Working at the interface between academia and industry, we will translate world-class research into new products and markets for the benefit of the Edinburgh, Scotland and the UK.

The National Robotarium will become a major innovation hub when it opens on Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh Campus in 2022 and we’re already working across multiple sectors, offering our staff and students the opportunity to co-create new products and businesses. With our support, through the early stage product development process, they can drive productivity to support the net-zero and circular economy of the future.