The National Robotics Programme (NRP) has announced a series of initiatives to boost robotics adoption and talent development in Singapore. These initiatives were unveiled at ROSCon 2025, the premier conference for open-source robotics, hosted in Singapore for the first time. The event gathered global developers, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss advancements in the Robot Operating System (ROS) and the Robotics Middleware Framework (RMF).
Among the new initiatives is the establishment of ELEVATE @ BCA Braddell Campus, a national sandbox for RMF. This testbed will allow various stakeholders to collaborate and validate robotic interactions in facilities management. The sandbox aims to drive RMF adoption across industries, with companies like Black Sesame Technologies and Panasonic already participating.
Additionally, Singapore introduced two national standards for robot interoperability: Singapore Standard 713 and Technical Reference 130. These standards provide guidelines for robot communication with infrastructure, aiming to enhance safety and scalability in robotics deployment. Efforts are underway to elevate SS 713 to an international ISO standard.
To address the talent gap, the ROS Train-and-Place Programme was launched by the ROS-Industrial Consortium Asia Pacific and SGInnovate. This initiative connects trained individuals with industry opportunities, leveraging SGInnovate’s network to place talent in companies such as AiTreat and Fabrica AI.
These initiatives position Singapore as a global hub for robotics innovation, fostering collaboration and setting benchmarks for the industry. As the country continues to develop its robotics ecosystem, it aims to contribute significantly to the global open-source community.
