The Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) is an academic centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research in the UK and builds on a collaborative partnership between the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) and the University of Bristol, and is home to a community of over 200 academics, researchers and industry practitioners.

The laboratory will be using the prize fund to install and stock new storage for basic electrical and mechanical components including resistors, capacitor, diodes, potentiometers, connectors, screws and nuts. The Lab will also receive 5 InfiniVision 1000 X-Series Oscilloscopes worth over £600 each from Keysight that will be used to teach the engineers of the future, and to help staff with prototypes.

Angelika Peer at Bristol Robotics Laboratory said: “With the help of Win-a-Lab-Makeover we hope to introduce a major change in how our researchers and students work on a daily basis, eliminating the need for every single person in need of basic electrical and mechanical components to file and track individual orders. Having basic components in-house will save everyone in the lab, from students and researchers, to people participating in our incubators, lots of time and effort. It will also save the laboratory money that can then be invested in other things.”

Peter Birks, European Business President, Farnell element14, said: “Farnell element14 launched the ‘Win a Lab Makeover’ competition as we believe it is vital to create the right environment with the right equipment and tools to give students the best start in their engineering careers. The British Robotics Laboratory is using the prize fund to change the way they are working for the better, making a difference to the lives of all the students and teachers and allowing them to focus on the engineering rather than paperwork.”