News / Prince of Wales
Prince William visits Bristol
Prince William visited Bristol on Thursday to see how world-leading research and innovation facilities in the city are responding to current global challenges.
The Prince of Wales toured two major research and learning centres in Bristol that are tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues, from climate change and healthcare to ageing and independent living.
During the visit, the future King toured two flagship facilities, the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) and the Isambard-AI supercomputer at the National Composites Centre (NCC), meeting researchers, students and tech start-ups translating cutting-edge science into real-world applications
The visit concluded at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory in Frenchay, a joint venture between UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol and the UK’s most comprehensive academic centre for multi-disciplinary robotics research.
There, the Prince met the engineering team at the VIVO Hub for Enhanced Independent Living, which is developing smart garments, exoskeletons and robotic clothing designed to help older and disabled people maintain independence.
Professor Darren Reynolds, pro-vice chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at UWE Bristol, said: “We’re so pleased to welcome the Prince of Wales to UWE Bristol’s campus to see how our challenge-led approach can drive ideas from imagination into reality, leading to thriving start-ups within the Bristol Robotics Laboratory.
“These start-ups are addressing societal challenges that will improve people’s lives and power our economy. Prince William has seen first-hand our thriving community of tech-minded and solutions-focused entrepreneurs and researchers, reimagining tomorrow through robotics and the power of AI.”
The Prince also met founders of two graduate-led start-ups based at BRL.
Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor at the University of Bristol and Jo Dally, chief business officer at the NCC guided Prince William on a tour of the cutting-edge facility
Supersmith showcased its self-stabilising three-wheeled mobility scooter, designed to reduce the risk of tipping while helping users remain socially engaged.
The company, founded by Tom and Emily Morgan and University of Bristol physics PhD graduate Fred Russell-Pavier, was inspired by Tom’s sister’s MS diagnosis.
The Prince himself tested the patented inbuilt stabilisation system that adjusts to terrain to maximise stability and comfort.
Meanwhile, Milbotix demonstrated its SmartSocks® wearable technology, which monitors heart rate and movement to detect distress in people living with dementia, allowing for faster and more effective interventions.
Supersmith, founded by Tom and Emily Morgan and Fred Russell-Pavier, was inspired by Tom’s sister’s MS diagnosis
At NCC in Emersons Green, the Prince learned how Isambard-AI, the world’s fastest university supercomputer, is enabling breakthroughs in drug discovery, climate modelling and health research.
Academics demonstrated how its unprecedented processing power is supporting new treatments for heart disease and improving predictions of extreme weather events.
He met professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, director of the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing, and Dr Danielle Paul, senior research fellow at the University of Bristol, whose British Heart Foundation-funded research is using the supercomputer to accelerate the development of new drugs.
Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor at the University of Bristol, said: “It has been a pleasure to welcome His Royal Highness to Bristol and to showcase the extraordinary research and innovation taking place across our University.
“From the groundbreaking research powered by Isambard-AI to the life-changing technologies being developed within the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, our researchers and graduates are working at the forefront of discovery to address some of society’s most pressing challenges.”
University leaders said the visit highlighted the strength of Bristol’s collaborative innovation ecosystem, where partnerships between universities, industry and start-ups are turning pioneering research into practical solutions.
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Earlier in the day, the Prince also met the Earthshot Prize finalists Matter at their headquarters, whose filtration system prevents microplastics from entering waterways.
The Prince himself has installed the £199 Matter unit at Kensington Palace and spoke with the company’s chief executive, Adam Root, about plans to scale the product globally.
Prince William met the Earthshot Prize finalists Matter at their headquarters
All photos: Kensington Palace/Andrew Parsons
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