Engineering giant Dyson is planning to invest £100million in a new research and development center in central Bristol.
The technology center would house hundreds of software and artificial intelligence (AI) engineers, the company said.
Dyson said it chose Bristol because it is an “international hub for software and digital skills”.
The center is planned for a Dyson-owned building opposite Castle Park near Bristol Bridge.
The company is still in the process of applying for planning permission to repurpose the building and it is not yet clear when it will be fully operational.
Teams at the site will work on the development of devices that will be launched up to a decade in the future.
Jake Dyson, son of founder Sir James and the company’s chief engineer, said the center will focus on sensors, apps and “connectivity” in future products.
He said such technology would transform the way the company supports customers and would allow it to continuously evaluate the performance of its machines.
“The new Dyson Technology Center in Bristol will be a key hub contributing to Dyson’s connected future,” he said.
The company’s UK headquarters are in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, but industry insiders told the BBC the company was struggling to attract software and AI engineers to the site.
Dyson already has an office in Bristol with around 100 technical specialists. A spokesman said the new center will create hundreds of jobs but declined to give an exact figure.
Ben Shorrock, chief executive of networking agency TechSpark, which promotes Bristol as a hub for technology investment, said the city had a “melting pot” of skills engineering firms needed.
According to TechSpark research, Bristol has around 28,000 specialist tech workers and the industry is worth £1.7bn to the regional economy.
He said: “Bristol continues to be a leading place for technology companies and people.
“The unique blend of historical industries, from creative industries showcased in organizations like Aardman Animations and the BBC, to engineering through companies like Hewlett-Packard and Airbus, means we’re a melting pot of the skills needed for the development of cutting-edge technology are required. “
Mr. Shorrock added, “Future technologies like robotics, sensors and AI all require expertise in data, hardware and design, so it’s not surprising that global companies are looking here for their R&D centers.”
Globally, Dyson plans to invest £2.75 billion in manufacturing and research, with development sites in Singapore, the UK, China, Malaysia, the Philippines and Poland.
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