The most transformative applications of AI will be in systems that can see, move and act in the real world. Imperial is at the frontier of researching the constituent technologies that will enable these systems to autonomously learn and adapt from real-world interactions. 

At the Imperial Policy Forum, we aim to connect, convene and promote Imperial's research with policymakers across related but distinct fields: 

  • Embodied AI: AI systems where capabilities emerge from physical forms interacting with their environments. 
  • Physical AI: a broader term to describe any AI systems operating in the real world. 

Imperial researchers are working on projects involving perception and environment mapping, tactile sensing and manipulation, robot learning, resilient and adaptive systems, human-robot cooperation, and surgical, medical and multi-scale robotics. 

Realising the economic and societal potential of intelligent autonomous physical systems is a growing priority for the UK government, reflected in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, the Robotics Growth Partnership’s Smart Machines 2035 Strategy, and increasing attention to robotics adoption across industrial policy. Closing the UK’s adoption gap calls for frontier research that determines the next generation of these systems’ capabilities. We aim to ensure that the UK's decisions on physical and embodied AI are informed by the latest evidence, giving particular focus to the application of these systems in health and biomedical research. 

UK Physical AI & Robotics Roundtable

The UK has an opportunity to lead the world in AI-powered robotics, according to experts at a roundtable hosted at Imperial in June by NVIDIA, the world leader in accelerated computing and AI, as part of London Tech Week.

Featuring

Professor Alessandra Russo (far left), Professor Mary Ryan (third from right).

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NVIDIA for Robotics Day 2026

In February 2026, Imperial hosted NVIDIA for Robotics Day, bringing leading computing, AI and robotics researchers from across the University together with technical experts from NVIDIA.

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Embodied AI at Imperial

Adaptive & Intelligent Robotics Lab

The objective of the lab is to improve the algorithmic foundations of learning algorithms to increase the versatility, resilience and autonomy of physical robots.

Brain & Behaviour Lab

A highly cross-disciplinary lab, working between neuroscience, machine learning and data science to develop insight into the brain, and to develop neurotechnology to help impaired people.

Dyson Robotics Lab

Focused on pushing forwards the frontier of real-time 3D computer vision and perception technology, to enable the next generation of smart real-world robots for the home and beyond.

Multi-Scale Embodied Intelligence lab

The Lab focuses on developing embodied intelligence across multiple scales, ranging from micro/nanobots to large-scale robotic systems, primarily targeting healthcare applications.

Robot Learning Lab

Developing advanced robots that are empowered by artificial intelligence, for assisting humans in everyday environments.

School of Convergence Science in Human and Artificial Intelligence

Facilitating transdisciplinary work and unique combinations of knowledge to further Imperial College London's Science for Humanity Strategy.

SWIRL at Imperial College London

Safe Whole-body Intelligent Robotics Lab (SWIRL) pushes the boundaries of robot learning by developing safe, intelligent systems that leverage their entire physical embodiment.

The Hamlyn Centre

The Hamlyn Centre for Robotic Surgery was established for developing safe, effective and accessible technologies that can reshape the future of healthcare for both developing and developed countries.