Hot Topic event on Autonomous Vehicles and Delivery Robots: Innovation or Public Safety Problem?

Rory leads techUK's Emerging Technology & Innovation team, working with many of the UK's most innovative tech companies to convene experts and decision-makers, showcase best practice, shape government's thinking, and ensure the UK leads on developing and deploying transformative technologies.

The team's main areas of focus are AI Innovation, Quantum, Semiconductors, Robotics, Photonics, Neuromorphic, Innovation Policy, and Technology Convergence.

Rory sits on DBIST's expert Robotics Advisory Group, hosts techUK's Meet the Innovators video interview series, and chairs techUK's Emerging Tech Leadership Committee, comprising 36 senior leaders from the UK's most exciting tech companies. He has also hosted London Tech Week's Deep Tech Stage, completed Stanford University's Tech & Entrepreneurship residency, and given oral evidence in a House of Lords Select Committee.

Chris Smith is VP of Hardware Engineering at Starship Technologies, leading the team behind the world's #1 fleet of autonomous delivery robots, machines already making millions of real deliveries. An MEng in Electro-mechanical Engineering from the University of Southampton and a Member of the IET, he has spent his career at the sharp end of autonomous systems, with earlier roles at Dyson and BAE Systems spanning consumer electronics, defence and aerospace. A passionate systems thinker and people leader, he loves turning bold ideas into safe, reliable products that ship at scale, and bringing engineering to life for audiences of every kind.

Dilani Selvanathan is a Senior Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman UK and Chair of the IET London Young Professionals Network.

Dilani began her engineering journey through a Software Engineering Degree Apprenticeship with the BBC, supported by the IET Horizons Bursaries (now known as Future Talent Awards). Since then, she has built a diverse career across software engineering, robotics, research and development, space engineering, and defence technology.

She is passionate about using engineering to solve real-world problems and has experience working across legacy system modernisation, user interface development, robotics and autonomous systems. Her wider interests include space, STEM outreach, emerging technologies, accessibility, neurodiversity, and inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Dilani has been actively involved with the IET for several years, taking part in volunteering, judging First LEGO League competitions, delivering presentations, contributing to case studies, and supporting events that connect engineers across industry and academia. She has achieved Engineering Technician status through the IET and Engineering Council and is currently working towards Chartered Engineer status.

Her achievements include receiving the IET Paul Fletcher Award, the Inspiring STEM Technician Award, and the IET Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices at the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards.

As Chair of the IET London Young Professionals Network, Dilani is committed to creating opportunities for students, apprentices, graduates and early-career professionals to build confidence, grow their networks, develop new skills and feel part of the wider engineering community.

Annie graduated from Cardiff University in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and since graduating she has worked at Black and Veatch as an Electrical Engineer in their graduate programme.   Graduating from a Master's programme from the City University, specialising in renewable engineering and power management, Annie is currently working as an EICA engineer at Binnies UK limited, working on projects within the Water Industry.   

With a background spanning both construction and engineering Annie is passionate about delivering sustainable solutions while fostering the next generation of industry professionals.  She is an active volunteer with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), where she serves as a social media ambassador and helps organize events that promote diversity and inclusion within engineering. 

Annie is particularly dedicated to inspiring more women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through her involvement in Women in Engineering and Technology initiatives, she works to create opportunities for mentorship, visibility, and meaningful industry conversations that encourage greater representation across the profession. 

Annie regularly carries out guest lectures at various the University of Greenwich, and is dedicated in mentoring an undergraduate student every year from Cardiff University through the University's mentoring programme.