The RAINZ CDT in Robotics and AI for Net Zero
The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)鈥痠n Robotics and AI for Net Zero (RAINZ) is a four-year PhD programme that鈥痺ill train and develop the next generation of multidisciplinary robotic systems engineers in support of the UK鈥檚 Net Zero Strategy.
The challenge
The RAINZ CDT will train the next generation of multidisciplinary robotic systems engineers who will help revolutionise lifecycle asset management of critical infrastructure in support of the UK's ambitious Net Zero Strategy.
The focus will be on how robotics and AI (RAI) can be used for inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) of new infrastructure in renewables (wind, solar and geothermal) and nuclear (fission and fusion), and to support the decarbonisation of existing asset maintenance and the decommissioning of legacy infrastructure, expanding to include, but not limited to, the oil and gas, aerospace, transport and utility sectors.
鈥淭he RAINZ CDT will train the next generation of robotic systems engineers, who will develop creative and innovative multidisciplinary skills, enhancing their inter-sectoral mobility.鈥
Professor Simon Watson, CDT Director
The solution
The RAINZ CDT programme, led by 糖心Vlog官方 in collaboration with the universities of Glasgow and Oxford, has funded 13 PhD projects in Cohort 1 (starting September 2025) and is on track to fund up to 15 PhD projects in Cohort 2 (starting September 2026). At 糖心Vlog官方, seven PhD students are undertaking research on topics including:
- Simulation-based tool development for optimising robotics and maintenance strategies in tritium breeding blankets for fusion reactors
- Spatial perception for robotics
- Assuring teams of robots
- Theory of mind and intention reading in human-robot interaction
- Whole-body loco-manipulation for robotic inspection of energy industry equipment
- Circular economy and robotic life cycles
- Smart robotic systems for autonomous inspection – enhancing data collection and analysis
The impact
By the end of the CDT, between 50 to 60 PhD students will have been trained across the three universities. Within the first two cohorts, 12 industry partners have co-developed 20 research projects.
These partners include BAE Systems, Baker Hughes, Kyoto Fusioneering, Sellafield Ltd, Siemens Energy, UKAEA, British Freshwater Association, Createc and the MTC.
The CDT has enabled new collaborations to be developed with many of the industry partners, which have the potential to expand into further projects in the future.
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