Steve Davis

Dr. Steve Davis is a Senior Research Fellow in Robotics at the University of Birmingham and Operational Director of The Birmingham Institute for Robotics. With over 25 years of expertise in robotics, his research focuses on soft robotics, biomimetics, advanced actuators, and robotics applications in healthcare, nuclear decommissioning, and the food industry. He holds a BEng, MSc, and PhD in Robotics from the University of Salford and a PGCert in Academic Practice.

Education:

• BEng in Robotic and Electronic Engineering (1998), University of Salford
• MSc in Advanced Robotics (1999), University of Salford
• PhD in Robotics (2005), University of Salford
• PGCert in Academic Practice (2014), University of Salford

Research Interests:
Steve’s work spans soft robotics, biomimetic systems, and automation solutions for industries like food manufacturing and healthcare. His innovations include variable stiffness actuators, robotic hands, and grippers designed for safe human interaction. He has pioneered projects such as the Grail Robot for the food industry and contributed to EU-funded initiatives like SMART-E and FAIRSPACE.

Publications Trends:
His recent work emphasizes soft robotics actuators (e.g., pneumatic muscles, granular jamming grippers) and predictive maintenance methodologies. Collaborations with industry have led to practical automation solutions across sectors.

Awards:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Grants and Supervision:
Steve has secured funding from UKRI, EPSRC, Innovate UK, and the EU. He has advised on MSc and PhD projects related to robotics in healthcare, space, and nuclear environments. Notable grants include the EPSRC FAIRSPACE Hub and Innovate UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning project.

Labs and Teams:
He leads research at the Birmingham Institute for Robotics and collaborates with the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing. His work integrates academic research with industrial applications through projects like the Food Robotics Automation Center funded by Yorkshire Forward.