A £4.9 million nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence cluster is set to be created across Cumbria and Oxfordshire.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) will lead the creation of the cluster, which was announced by UK Research and Innovation as one of seven new projects to kickstart economic growth and address regional needs.

The projects, which range from digital healthcare and rehabilitation technology to offshore wind energy, are expected to bring benefits to regional and local economies and communities, including new jobs, skills development, private investment, and the growth of start-ups.

The projects are supported by a £22 million investment from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

UK science minister Lord Vallance said: "We are backing universities across the UK to home in on local strengths in research to support thousands of local jobs, boost skills, and bring new technologies to market.

"This investment will allow innovators up and down the country to continue or expand their pioneering work to improve lives and kickstart growth in our economy with new opportunities."

The nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence (RAI) cluster will link Cumbria and Oxfordshire to accelerate the decommissioning of the UK's legacy nuclear fission facilities and keep people out of hazardous environments.

Led by UKAEA, the cluster will connect academia with the supply chain, creating commercial opportunities from cross-sector engagement and spin-out company formation.

The cluster will enable regional growth, create and retain jobs, and help to establish the UK as the international lead in nuclear innovation, a $1 trillion industry.

Dr Kirsty Hewitson, director of RAICo at UKAEA, said: "As part of our mission to bring fusion energy to the grid, UKAEA hosts the UK’s largest nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence group, with the ability to design, build, and operate robotics for extreme industrial environments.

"This new robotics and AI cluster provides an opportunity for UKAEA to leverage our expertise, in collaboration with other consortium partners, wider academia, and industry, to develop innovative robotics and AI solutions for nuclear fission and fusion energy decommissioning and adjacent sectors."

The nuclear RAI cluster aims to help create 200 business opportunities, establish 10 spin-out companies, generate 200 new jobs, engage 5,000 people in cluster-driven events, deliver 25 licensing deals, and generate £22.5 million in leveraged funding.

This impact is expected to continue beyond the four-year duration of the award.

UKAEA will lead the establishment of the new RAI cluster, supported by consortium partners, the universities of Cumbria, Oxford, and Manchester.

Through this programme, the University of Cumbria will develop further research capabilities and establish themselves as the regional RAI technology lead in Cumbria.