11/02/2019

Robot Exchange Creates Seven Jobs At Lisburn Research Hub

A UK robotics firm is to create seven jobs in a new research and development hub in Lisburn.

The Robot Exchange was established in Nottingham just over a year ago, and specialises in robotic process automation (RPA), essentially automating repetitive tasks such as back office administration.

Invest NI are supporting the project with £125,294 of funding to increase customer accessibility and reduce the cost through the development of new IT architecture, as well as delivering innovation in the areas of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

CEO Andy Wallace said the company chose to set up in Northern Ireland due to the availability of skilled developers and the support from Invest NI.

He commented: "Our RPA solution uses software robots to capture data and manipulate applications in the way a human would. They interpret, trigger responses and communicate with other software applications in order to perform a variety of repetitive tasks. This R&D project will involve designing, developing and testing new ways to organise and integrate systems (architecture) for our RPA solution. We want to continue to provide an affordable and accessible route for businesses that are keen to adopt RPA to create efficiencies but are not in a position to invest heavily in skilled staff and licensing."

Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research & Development, Invest NI, said: "The Robot Exchange is a company that recognises the importance of R&D to business growth and is investing early in its lifecycle to stay ahead of the competition. Investment in R&D results in competitive advantage, increased sales and, hence, growth.

"Increasing business expenditure on research and development is one of Invest NI's three Business Strategy outcomes and we were pleased to note that the most recent Research and Development Statistical Bulletin on R&D expenditure by businesses shows an upward trend in R&D investment by SMEs, which reached £43 million in 2017."

Invest NI's support is part funded under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.



(JG/CM)

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