York welcomes German Ambassador

Posted on 5 December 2023

The University of York's Institute for Safe Autonomy was host to His Excellency Miguel Berger, the German Ambassador to the UK, as part of his tour of the city of York.

Ambassador Berger was introduced to DAISY, a project investigating how robots may ease the pressures on NHS staff.

Ambassador Berger met with University Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor Mathias Ruth, and Director of the Institute for Safe Autonomy, Professor Miles Elsden to tour the new facility and learn how researchers are taking a safety critical approach to the design, development and testing of robotics and connected autonomous systems.

The day also included a tour of York Minster which saw the Ambassador meet with some of the Minster’s teams of skilled glaziers and stonemasons, who are keeping centuries-old skills alive as they maintain the world-famous sight of the medieval cathedral for future generations.

Impactful solutions

Professor Matthias Ruth, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at the University of York, said: "The Institute for Safe Autonomy at the University of York aims to minimise the risks associated with robotics and connected autonomous systems, while exploring their potential to deliver impactful solutions for the benefit of society, the economy and the planet.

“In presenting the Institute to His Excellency Miguel Berger, we highlighted that working in partnership with researchers, industries, governments and wider society we can provide better understanding of the safe, ethical and real-world applications of autonomous systems."

Software engineering company ETAS, a York-based subsidiary of German firm Bosch, concluded the visit with a presentation on how it is developing innovative systems for the automotive industry.

International role

His Excellency Miguel Berger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Kingdom, said: “It was impressive seeing the close and thriving economic relationship between the UK and Germany exemplified by the cutting-edge work for safe autonomy by the University of York and Robert Bosch’s subsidiary ETAS, leading global supplier of embedded control systems for the automotive industry."

Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council and Executive Member for Transport and Economy, said: “The visit was a great opportunity to shine a light on York’s international role in high-growth industries such as AI, and I very much hope that we will continue to attract investment and collaboration from major economic players like Germany in the future.”