Robotics Adoption Forum: Closing the Adoption Gap for SMEs
Robotics is no longer a future consideration for SMEs, it’s becoming a business necessity. As labour shortages continue, capacity constraints increase, quality requirements become more demanding, and customer expectations continue to rise, businesses are increasingly turning to robotics to drive productivity and growth.
Join Extend Robotics, industry leaders, technology experts, robotics innovators, and fellow SMEs for a forum exploring the opportunities, challenges, and practical realities of robotics adoption. Through expert insights, case studies, and open discussion, we will explore how SMEs can successfully adopt robotics.
Whether you are already utilising robotics and looking to expand your capabilities, considering adopting robotics for the first time, or developing the next generation of robotic technology, this forum offers you the opportunity to hear from experts, adopters and connect with businesses at different stages of their own robotics adoption journey.
Registrations close on July 10th 2026.
About This Forum
This forum will explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding robotics adoption for SMEs.
The session will cover topics including overcoming barriers to robotics adoption, manufacturing and sourcing solutions, utilising robotics to overcome labour and capacity challenges, improving productivity and quality, accessing funding and support and understanding the future of robotics for SMEs.
Hear from Extend Robotics, whose technology has been featured in Forbes and adopted by organisations including BT. They will share their experiences, insights, and practical tips to help SMEs navigate their robotics adoption journey, and you might even get to meet one of their robots in person.
Agenda
10:00 – 10:40 | Arrival, Networking & Breakfast
10:45 – 11:00 | Welcome & Keynotes (Insights from Extend Robotics)
11:00 – 11:50 | Breakout Discussions
11:50 – 12:40 | Forum Discussion
12:40 – 13:00 | Meet the Robots
Optional Activities
13:00 – 14:00 | Networking Lunch (On the rooftop)
14:00 – 17:00 | Work from the Hub
Why Attend The Forum
Robotics is no longer just for global businesses with big budgets. Robots are now more accessible, flexible, and affordable for SMEs than ever before; however, adoption of robotics is still challenging for many. This forum will help SMEs to understand the reality, gain insights and explore thefuture of adopting robotics.
- Learn from robotics experts about the practical steps, challenges, and lessons learned when implementing robotics.
- Discover how robotics can help address labour, capacity, and quality challenges while improving productivity and competitiveness.
- Explore the opportunities, support, and funding available to help SMEs in their robotics adoption journey.
- Build valuable connections with robotics innovators, technology providers, and industry leaders.
- Network with fellow SMEs that are exploring, implementing, or scaling robotics.
For more infomation visit Mayor of London and GOV.
The people I have met here make it a dream coming in a few times a week! I don't see myself being able to go back to working from home the same way I did before coming to Plus X Innovation, I don't think I could leave the sense of community behind. It really is something everyone who is working from home should try!
Central Research Laboratory has contributed to our journey in many ways: access to a network, manufacturing, procurement services, and workshop facilities. CRL enables us to feel like a slightly bigger company than we would otherwise be if left to our own devices. Being here at CRL as a cohort member, makes it feel a lot more real and plugged in into the ecosystem.
Besides the workshop facilities, the best thing about working in the Brighton hub has got to be being able to collaborate with people in the same building as you. The variety of expertise and experience in the building is awesome.
We could not be in a better place to grow as a company. We get amazing support from the Plus X Innovation staff, plus collaboration opportunities with the other inspiring residents and companies. We feel like we’re living in the future of workplaces in the present and that is pretty damn cool.
Through my time at Plus X Innovation my business has turned from a student project into a registered R&D company. My favourite thing about being at Plus X Brighton is having a mini family in the office and a beautiful space to be the best you and make the best connections.
