With entries for the Robotics & Automation Awards 2025 now open, Robotics & Automation Magazine has launched an exclusive series of Q&A interviews with the expert panel of judges responsible for evaluating this year’s submissions.
Over the coming weeks and months, the magazine will spotlight each judge – a dynamic mix of thought leaders, technical specialists, and business strategists drawn from across the robotics, automation, AI and smart manufacturing sectors – to explore their backgrounds, industry outlooks and what they’ll be looking for in an award-winning entry.
From end users and integrators to researchers and investors, this year’s panel represents a diverse blend of practical and academic expertise – all of which will help identify the most transformative, scalable, and commercially viable innovations driving the next era of automation and intelligent systems.
Our next judge is a knowledge transfer manager, in robotics for Innovate UK. Her focus is to help companies identify how they could use robots to improve their business processes and increase the awareness of digital technologies.
Where innovation is required, she supports by providing valuable connections, expertise, funding, and investment opportunities.
With a background in computer science, programming and working with, she uses her applied knowledge of robotics in the robotics and AI industry.
She has helped to develop the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Landscape map, which serves as a platform for robotics and AI organisations to be featured and to showcase their technologies, projects and test facilities, whilst offering the possibility to collaborate and interact with other organisations.
Name: Agnes Wamagui
Job title: Knowledge Transfer Manager – Robotics
Organisation: Innovate UK
How does your professional background align with the Robotics & Automation Awards’ goal of recognising excellence in automation and intelligent technologies?
As a knowledge transfer manager specialising in robotics, my role involves working closely with innovative companies, academic researchers, and investors to support the development and commercialisation of intelligent technologies. I regularly assess cutting-edge projects and facilitate partnerships that drive excellence in automation. This experience gives me a broad and balanced perspective on what true innovation looks like—not just in terms of technical sophistication, but also in practical impact and scalability. This aligns directly with the Awards’ mission to recognise and celebrate transformative work in the field.
What current trends or technologies in robotics and automation are you most excited about, and how do you anticipate seeing them reflected in this year’s entries?
I’m particularly excited about the rise of adaptive and collaborative robotics, especially those integrating AI to operate in unstructured environments. Another exciting area is the increasing convergence of digital twins and real-time robotics data for predictive maintenance and system optimisation. I also anticipate seeing entries that highlight sustainability—robots designed to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency, or enable circular economy practices. These trends reflect a broader industry shift toward intelligent, integrated, and responsible automation.
From your perspective as a judge, what qualities will distinguish a truly standout submission?
A standout submission will demonstrate a clear problem-solution narrative, backed by measurable outcomes. I’ll be looking for originality, technical excellence, and evidence of real-world application or commercial traction. But equally important is the ability to communicate the broader impact—whether that’s improving productivity, enabling safer working conditions, or reducing environmental footprint. Innovation alone isn’t enough; how it’s delivered and adopted matters just as much. This is looking at building a resilient future.
How do industry awards such as these help foster innovation, investment and commercialisation in the robotics and automation sector?
Awards like this shine a spotlight on emerging talent and groundbreaking work, giving visibility to ideas that might otherwise remain under the radar. They help validate technologies in the eyes of investors, partners, and customers, creating momentum for further development and scaling. More broadly, they foster a culture of innovation by celebrating risk-taking and creative problem-solving—critical ingredients in advancing the robotics and automation landscape.
Can you share an example of a robotics or automation innovation – either recent or historic – that you believe has had a lasting impact on the way industries operate?
A standout UK example is Ocado Group, whose development of highly automated fulfilment centres has redefined what’s possible in grocery logistics. Their use of swarm robotics, where hundreds of robots move across a grid system to pick and pack grocery orders with incredible speed and precision, has set a benchmark for warehouse automation. What’s particularly impactful is how Ocado has combined robotics, AI, and digital twin technologies into a single cohesive system (Ocado Smart Platform (OSP). This not only improves operational efficiency but also enables real-time optimisation and scalability. The technology has attracted global attention and is now being licensed to other retailers internationally, making it a truly transformative British innovation.
What advice would you give to companies and individuals submitting an entry this year?
Be clear and concise. Tell the story of your innovation in a way that’s easy to understand but technically credible. Focus on what makes your approach unique and why it matters. Use real-world data or user feedback to show impact, and don’t shy away from discussing challenges and how you overcame them. Lastly, align your submission with the award criteria and consider what sets your work apart not just technically, but also in terms of broader value to the industry or society.
Achievements and innovations in retail and e-commerce, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, transport & logistics, and more will be celebrated at the Robotics & Automation Awards on 29 October 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s robotics and automation sectors!
