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National Future Leaders Award for Rodolfo
Parkside based cognitive robotics research scientist Rodolfo Cuan Urquizo has won a national award for his work to develop cutting-edge technology with the aim to save the food manufacturing industry billions of pounds.
He received the Future Leaders Award at Innovate UK's Knowledge Transfer Partnership Awards.
Rodolfo is a KTP associate working at Industrial Robotic Solutions (IRS), based at Parkside on the University's Knowledge Gateway research and technology park.
As part of a KTP project between the University and IRS, Rodolfo has helped create a 3D-printed grabber which can pick up delicate ingredients such as slices of chicken and bacon and place them inside factory-made sandwiches.
The new tech is also able to distinguish between different ingredients, meaning it is being extended from the sandwich industry to the entire ready meal and frozen meal industry.
Rodolfo said: “I would like to thank Industrial Robotic Solutions and the University of Essex KTP team, who have been very supportive throughout the whole project. Being far from home means their ongoing guidance and this award means a lot to me. I’m also very grateful for the encouragement from my friends and family in Mexico.”
The University of Essex is one of the leading universities for working with businesses through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and also won a national award for Best Management KTP and was shortlisted for best KTP support team.
