Robotics lab opens in Bristol

The biggest Robotics Laboratory in the country is being officially opened today. The multi million pound facility at the University of the West of England is a joint project with Bristol University. It's home to 70 academics and businesses. Electronics Engineers, mechanical engineers surgeons, mathematians, microbiologists and psychologists - people from all sorts of disciplines are involved in the robotics research.

Researchers are working on dozens of projects at the laboratory. In one they have adapted a child's remote controlled toy. It's controlled by a computer rather than a human and on board is a camera which transmits real time images back to the computer operator.

Researchers are also looking at how robots can help older people with independent living, becoming a working companion.

The Bristol robotics laboratory is the largest in the country. But those behind it say more investment is needed in robotics research if Britain is to compete globally.