Bring back Tomorrow’s World
06 June 2019
Nigel Platt, LBL Manager for UK & Ireland ABB Robotics' Business, discusses how BBC's 'Tomorrow's World' could inspire the next generation of engineers.
ABB was lucky enough to be invited to appear on the recent live edition of the BBC’s popular technology programme ‘Tomorrow’s World’ as part of a feature on developments in robotic technology. Anyone of a certain age will recall the show’s reputation for covering the latest developments in technology, some of which occasionally went awry!
Fortunately, our demonstration, which featured two of our two-armed YuMi robots – one making coffee and the other assembling a computer – went without a hitch, enabling us to explain how robots are already helping UK manufacturers to transform their production processes.
I really hope that the show will have inspired younger viewers in the same way that Tomorrow’s World inspired me when I was younger. As one of the few programmes of its kind showcasing the possibilities of technology, Tomorrow’s World played a big part in sparking my interest in engineering.
I’ve always felt it was a shame that when it was cancelled in 2003 there was nothing to replace it, leaving a big hole in the nation’s viewing schedules for an engineering and technology-focused show.
With a recent report by Barclays revealing that just six percent of a total of 2,000 16-23-year olds are considering careers in manufacturing, it would be great to see the show making a return to our screens. As the UK Government and industry strive to encourage more young people to study STEM subjects, more needs to be done to show how technology and engineering can provide the opportunity for an exciting and rewarding career.
Ultimately, the UK’s future as a leading manufacturing nation relies on matching young minds to the potential of technology – putting more shows like Tomorrow’s World onto mainstream TV would be a great step in making this happen.
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