Los Angeles-based robotics firm Launchpad Build has opened open a new research and development hub in Edinburgh’s New Town, with the support of Scottish Enterprise.
Employing a team of 24, the site is aimed at driving the development of its proprietary robotics technology, Digitool, which is simplifying automation tools and reducing manufacturing production costs.
Launchpad’s leadership chose Scotland ahead of five international alternatives, following engagement with Scottish Enterprise’s Silicon Valley based team. The company has also been awarded a £2m Scottish Enterprise grant towards the project.
Launchpad chief financial officer Jon Quick said: “We see Scotland as our gateway to the UK, Europe and Middle East and Northern Africa.
“We’ve been hugely impressed by the quality of local talent, so much so that we’re exploring multiple ways to increase the scope and size of our Scottish operations and accelerating plans to bring the Digitool overseas.
“There are 500 million manufacturing and assembly jobs globally, but only 1.7 million robots doing them, which presents a huge opportunity. Historically the upfront costs associated with automation have been prohibitive for many, but we can deliver in half the time and at half the cost through the use of AI and machine learning.”
If those words sound ominous, Quick also had some comforting words for those who may fear technology is coming for all of our jobs: “Instead of automation being a multi-million-dollar career defining decision it can now be a case of identifying the biggest problem in your factory – the job nobody wants to do – and automating it in a way that that seamlessly fits with your existing processes, creating savings from day one,” he said. “As we look to the future more and more companies will need a blend of local labour and automation to remain competitive; that is the ‘secret sauce’ which will allow Scotland and others to reshore jobs from overseas.”
Adrian Gillespie, chief executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “The fact that such an innovative company chose Edinburgh for its global R&D hub is a ringing endorsement of Scotland’s robotics and AI talent, our supportive business environment and world-class universities. We look forward to working with the Launchpad team to support their continued growth here.”
Scottish Business Minister Richard Lochhead added: “Launchpad’s decision to open its new global R&D hub in Edinburgh shows Scotland’s attractiveness to global businesses, proving the nation has the skills and expertise to serve as a hub for innovation.
“We’ve been working in partnership with the National Robotarium to develop a robotics cluster in this field, utilising Scotland’s globally renowned research institutions to accelerate growth and technological advancement.”
