CTS Seminar Series
Fulfilling the fast mile
Robotisation and labour with Dr Brendan Doody
Key Information:
- Date and time
- Tue 18 February 2025
12:00 - 13:00 - Location
- Hybrid: Online and room tbc, Frenchay Campus, Further info
- Contact
- Dr Asa Thomas asa.thomas@uwe.ac.uk
- Cost
- Free
- Attendance
- Booking required
About the event
For the second instalment of our season on Transport and Labour, the Centre for Transport and Society (CTS) Seminar Series is delighted to welcome Dr Brendan Doody, Research Associate in Urban Robotics, at the University of Sheffield.
By way of an introduction to his talk, Brendan writes: "Robotics is transforming operations across the e-commerce and logistics sectors. Early adopters like Amazon, DHL, and Ocado began introducing autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and robotic arms into their warehouses in the early to mid-2010s. These robotic applications have since become central to many processes and practices, enabling Amazon, in particular, to set new standards for seamless shopping, product variety, and rapid fulfilment. The robotisation of logistics has since expanded beyond warehouses. Experiments with autonomous delivery robots (ADRs) and drones have led to firms such as Wing, Zipline and Starship Technologies offering 'fast mile' delivery services, promising to reach customers in 30 minutes or less."
"This presentation explores robotics as a key force in (sub)urban logistics and the transformation of labour practices within the sector. Robotically enabled warehouse and delivery systems aim to increase worker productivity by replacing specific types of human labour with automated processes. Social practices of picking, sorting, packing and transporting goods are being made ‘robot friendly’ by enveloping environments around their (limited) capacities. Making the world suitable for robots is a socio-technical process that extends beyond mere technological implementation. It requires building technical infrastructures such as network connectivity, human-machine interfaces (HMI), datasets and digital twins. Socially, robots (re)configure our physical and conceptual environments and require us to adapt to them as this is the best, easiest, or only way to make them work. Most warehouse workers, for example, are either separated from or specifically trained to interact with robots. ADRs and drones will require similar adjustments to be made beyond the warehouse walls."
Registration
All are welcome.
For this seminar, we are returning to our hybrid format which means you can join us either online or in-person (room TBC) at Frenchay Campus.
- Cost: Free
- Attendance: Booking required
Location
This is a free hybrid (online/in-person) event.
room tbc
Frenchay Campus
Coldhabour Lane
Bristol
BS16 1QY
UK
Online
Related events

Thu 23 October 2025, 17:00
Black History Month panel discussion
Room 3Z015, School of Engineering, Frenchay Campus
Black History Month panel discussion with Engineering students, staff and alumni.

Fri 24 October 2025, 11:00
Communicating with your lecturers
Online
A friendly session for students new to the UK or English to learn how lecturers communicate and how to write emails and arrange meetings confidently.

Fri 24 October 2025, 16:00
Get certified in Westlaw Edge UK
Online
A workshop to help you to make the best use of Westlaw Edge UK, one of the leading law databases and legal practice resources.

Sat 25 October 2025, 11:00
Ableton Live 12 Intensive Masterclass
Centre for Music, The Farmhouse, Frenchay Campus
Get lost in Live 12’s creative features and sounds and find your own way of making music in this one-day intensive masterclass.

Sat 25 October 2025, 13:30
Cooking event: Pancakes
Purdown View Kitchen, Frenchay Campus
Join Student Life at Purdown View Kitchen to create pancakes your way!

Sun 26 October 2025, 16:30
Halloween movie night
MOVE Studio, Frenchay Campus
Spooky evening as Halloween week starts!

Mon 27 October 2025, 12:00
Drop-in sessions for neurodivergence and mental health study support
Bower Ashton Library, City Campus at Bower Ashton
The Specialist practitioners are available in the Library to answer your questions or support you with any issues impacting your studies.

Mon 27 October 2025, 12:00
Atoms, algorithms, and arguments: Shaping public opinion on nuclear energy
Online
Join Zion Lights, an award-winning science communicator and environmental advocate, who will bring her expertise on shifting the global narrative on global energy.

Mon 27 October 2025, 12:00
Science communication seminar
Online
Zion Lights presents – Atoms, algorithms, and arguments: shaping public opinion on nuclear energy.

Mon 27 October 2025, 16:00
Music Therapy postgraduate webinar
Online
Join our live webinar and meet programme leaders from our MA Music Therapy.

Mon 27 October 2025, 17:30
Halloween craft event
3S501, S block, Frenchay Campus
Make Halloween decorations with the Student Life team.

Tue 28 October 2025, 11:00
Advancing your use of generative AI at UWE Bristol
Online
This session builds on the Introduction to generative AI session, demonstrating useful prompts to help you with things like reading, revising and planning
You may also be interested in

Centre for Transport and Society (CTS)
More information about the Centre for Transport and Society, including research projects, transport courses, news, events and opportunities.

Research in the School of Architecture and Environment
Our extensive programme of research and consultancy combines academic excellence and policy relevance, and holds a well-established national and international reputation.

Research in the College of Arts, Technology and Environment
The College of Arts, Technology and Environment (CATE) has a well-established and continuously developing research environment.