Robert Skilton

Robert Skilton is a Visiting Professor of Practice at the University of Oxford's Oxford Robotics Institute, affiliated with the Department of Engineering Science. He holds a PhD from the University of Surrey and has extensive experience in robotics for extreme environments, particularly in nuclear and fusion settings. Previously, he served as Head of Robotics Research at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and led national/international robotics programs.

Education: BSc (2006) Computer Science, University of Reading; MSc (2011) Cybernetics, University of Reading; PhD (2023) Generative AI for Industrial Inspection, University of Surrey.

Research focuses on robotics for extreme environments, including tele-operation, autonomous inspection, and nuclear decommissioning. Key interests include robot system agility, interoperability, and machine learning for decision-making. He leads projects like UK Fusion Robotics (EPSRC-funded) and Lasers4MaaS, alongside collaborations with institutions like Korea's tendon-driven inspection robotics initiative (IRIS).

Recent articles emphasize fusion reactor structural integrity, radiation-resistant polymers, Fukushima Daiichi debris retrieval, and bilateral teleoperation performance. His work bridges robotics theory with practical nuclear energy challenges.

Grants and projects include EPSRC funding, international fusion robotics collaborations, and development of the Generic Nuclear Robotics Architecture (GNRA). He advises on DPhil opportunities in robotics for fusion energy and nuclear decommissioning.