Construction of the York Global Initiative for Safe Autonomy Building

Tender description

The University of York has a requirement for a new research building, close to its Piazza Learning Centre on the University's Heslington East Campus. The new building will house the Global Initiative for Safe Autonomy. The proposed building is being funded by an award from UK Research Partnership Investment Fund, and investment from the University of York. The aim of the research to be carried out within the new building is to address one of the most scientifically challenging research questions of the 21st Century: the design, development, verification, safety and communications for robotics and connected autonomous systems. This will be the first facility in the UK dedicated to this challenge and will enable world-leading contributions to this scientific field and accelerate the adoption of these novel technologies, contributing to the UK's economic competitiveness. In order to deliver the Global Initiative for Safe Autonomy's research, the University has identified a need for dedicated research laboratories and new office accommodation for up to 120 staff and postgraduate students. This will enable the permanent co-location of staff and postgraduate students from the departments of Computer Science, Electronics Engineering and Physics, and also expansion in this growing research area. In the last 2 years, the University has received significant funding in this area from philanthropic foundations, research funding councils, and industrial partners. The building will provide: Flexible and reconfigurable laboratories to accommodate research at varying scales Laboratories that will be used for research into robotics and autonomous systems, with a particular focus on: design, verification, assurance, safety, simulation, digital forensics, advanced communications via high altitude platforms and underwater systems, quantum communications. An outdoor yard that will occasionally be used for testing autonomous vehicles, setting up realistic stage sets for inspections, and for deploying a helikite (tethered balloon-like device). An outdoor space on the building's upper floor that will occasionally be used to deploy a helikite (tethered balloon-like device), and will also house a telescope for observation and communication with satellites. A seminar room for up to 50 persons (making use of the nearby Piazza Learning Centre and Ron Cooke Hub for catering and larger meeting / teaching room provision. Academic, administrative and researcher office space. An entrance reception space leading to a shared collaboration space, which will occasionally be used to host receptions and technology demonstrations. This flexible collaboration space will be designed to draw in researchers from York and beyond, from academic, industrial and government sectors, with the potential to host international visitors. The scheme is scheduled for delivery in Spring 2021. The Universit...