Advancing Robotics for Ireland’s Future! An Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited CRIS

Advancing Robotics for Ireland’s Future! An Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited CRIS & the Department of ECE

Last Friday, 28th November, the Centre for Robotics & Intelligent Systems (CRIS) and the Department of ECE at University of Limerick was delighted to welcome An Taoiseach Micheál Martin for a briefing on our latest innovations in marine and aerial robotics.

The visit highlighted CRIS’s ongoing efforts to promote the future of marine and aerial robotics and its importance for Ireland’s strategic research and service ecosystem.

The Taoiseach met with the CRIS team, led by Prof. Daniel Toal, and heard presentations from team members on how our robotics platforms are supporting national priorities, including:

• Offshore renewable energy
• Maritime security
• Environmental and biodiversity monitoring
• Climate resilience
• Emergency and search-and-rescue operations

The visit also included a tour of our labs, where the Taoiseach saw cutting-edge technologies applied in real-world operations at sea, including seabed exploration, offshore wind support, environmental and biodiversity monitoring, and other robotics applications addressing complex national challenges.

Mr. Martin said he was “delighted to meet the team at CRIS… These technologies will shape how we protect our waters, safeguard renewable energy, and respond to global challenges.”

Prof. Toal highlighted the team’s collaborations with national agencies, including the Irish Navy and Marine Institute, and their ongoing commitment to mission-driven robotics research.