BARA is a member organisation of the IFR or International Federation of Robotics which represents similar, but predominantly robotic interests, on a global scale. There are many other robotics based organisations around the world including The Australian Robot Association and in the USA, the Robotic Industries Association. 

The Engineering and Machinery Alliance (EAMA) is an umberella organisation which represents SME manufacturers, raising awareness within government to improve their knowledge and understanding of UK Manufacturers.

The handbook, to help UK manufacturers make it, iis available by clicking here - downloadable pdf

The Robot online web-site is available here. People may find the tips for successfully applying robots section or their new to robotics sections particularly useful.




BARA is now run from the University of Warwick's Manufacturing Group.

There is an EC thematic network for walking and climbing robots coordinated by
the University of Portsmouth called CLAWAR.

In the robotics research arena there are a wide range of Universities which have robotics sections such as Queen's University, Belfast.

Also major organisations have robotics groups who encourage active research and development projects such as Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE).





There are a few robotics based publications worthy of note, some of which have web sites, the following links provide further details of these.

Industrial Robot is a down to earth application research based journal but with some of the further sighted research included. Assembly Automation is from the same stable as Industrial Robot, and follows a similar ethos with a large amount of application details, as well as research material.

ConnectingIndustry.com/Automation is the trade magazine for the automation industry. They also publish a systems integrator's handbook and run a range of industry directories on their web site. BARA are a regular contributor.

Engineering is a broad based magazine covering a large number of subjects.They publish a supplement 'Automation and Robotics' annually, in conjunction with BARA.

Machinebuilding.net is a website and free email newsletter that carries technical articles, application stories, product announcements and news relating to products, systems and standards/regulations pertinent to all types of machinery and automation.




Developed by the Health and Safety Executive in partnership with Butterworths Tolley, HSEDirect is an online health and safety information resource. It allows instant access for those requiring health and safety legislation and guidance. With varied subscription options, HSEDirect is ideal for health and safety professionals, managers, trainers, consultants and union representatives - in fact, anyone with an interest in health and safety.

The British Council Research in Robotics page offers information about robotics research, study, and funding in the UK.




Another site worth visiting is the Essentialautomation.Com which is a free site for online information and marketing, aimed specifically at the manufacturing sector.
The site is structured into three main areas; automated manufacturing solutions, control and instrumentation, and mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic components.

For information on sensors try Sensorland. The UK Industrial Vision Association website is also worth a look.

One or two world renown organisations are very interested in robotics as an element of major projects such as NASA Robotics, ESA Automation and Robotics.

C-ELROB aims to bridge the gap between users, industry and research regarding robotics and is set up as a co-operation between representatives from these fields.

It is open to:
• Users: These are (future) professional users of robots.
• Industry: These are designers and manufacturers of integrated ground robots focusing on considered domains.
• Research: These are universities and other research institutes focusing on (partial) solutions relevant to the considered domains (e.g.: sensor technology or outdoor navigation).
ELROB as an event aims to bring together users, industry and researchers.

For more information on the next C-Elrob European Land-Robot Trial,
go to our Events page or click this link.                                    

Roboutique is a portal for the robotics community that connects students and hobbyists of all ages with industry professionals and the companies that design, manufacture, distribute and market robots and robotic parts, from entertainment to outer space. In doing so, Roboutique aims to nurture a broader understanding of the global impact of the robotic revolution, promote robotics to the general public, and most importantly, inspire today’s youth to lead us in to the future.

Contact  Eric Benjes (Director of Information Services for Roboutique) by e-mail or visit their website by clicking here.

BBC Robots
Channel 4's Robot web-site

PPMA AGM 08 Presentation