Booming robotics sector is creating job opportunities in India: Subrata Karmakar

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Booming robotics sector is creating job opportunities in India: Subrata Karmakar

Booming robotics sector is creating job opportunities in India: Subrata Karmakar

Articles
Nov 29,24

During his conversation with Rakesh Rao, Subrata Karmakar, President, Robotics & Discrete Automation Division, ABB India, highlights on factors driving the demand for robots in India and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the industry.

Booming robotics sector is creating job opportunities in India: Subrata Karmakar

With a 50-year legacy of innovation that began in 1974 with the launch of the world’s first microprocessor-controlled robot, ABB is uniquely positioned to capitalise on India’s growing robotics and automation market. During his conversation with Rakesh Rao, Subrata Karmakar, President, Robotics & Discrete Automation Division, ABB India, highlights on factors driving the demand for robots in India and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the industry.

What factors are driving the demand for robots in India?

India’s robotics market is on a rapid growth trajectory, setting a new record with the installation of 8,510 industrial robots in the past year—a 59 per cent increase from 2022, when 5,252 units were installed. This surge is largely driven by the automotive sector, which saw a remarkable 139 per cent rise in demand, with robot installations reaching 3,551 units.

This upward trend has propelled India to the seventh position globally in annual robot installations, showcasing its strong potential for automation as the demand is expected to grow further into 2024 and 2025. Besides global factors such as flexibility, quick changeovers, and "batch size one" production, the adoption of automation by medium and small-sized companies (SMEs), efficiency and quality improvements, economic uncertainty, skilled labor shortages, and sustainability are key drivers. Additionally, India-specific factors like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes promoting local manufacturing and the shift of value chains, especially in the electronics industry, into India are major driving forces for the adoption of robotics automation in Indian industries.

Moreover, the potential of AI-enabled robotics is expanding beyond manufacturing into sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, retail, and construction. In the construction industry, for example, AI-enabled robots can address key challenges by boosting productivity, improving safety, and supporting sustainable practices like on-site assembly and modular construction.

The booming robotics sector is also generating job opportunities in specialised roles, such as Robotics Engineers, Robot Design Engineers, Application Engineers, and Smart Factory Designers, further solidifying India’s role in the evolving automation landscape. India’s fast-paced adoption positions it as a key emerging player in Asia. With sustained investment and growing interest across sectors, especially in automotive, India is poised to solidify its presence in the global robotics arena, marking it as a country to watch in the coming years.

How is ABB positioned to leverage these trends (towards robotics & automation) in India?

ABB is uniquely positioned to capitalise on India’s growing robotics and automation market, drawing on a 50-year legacy of innovation that began in 1974 with the launch of the world’s first microprocessor-controlled robot. Initially focused on large industrial robots for the automotive sector, ABB has since expanded its portfolio to address the diverse needs of multiple industries. Today, ABB offers a comprehensive hardware suite that includes autonomous mobile robots, collaborative robots (cobots), industrial robots, and machine automation solutions, effectively supporting the entire value chain.

In addition to hardware, ABB has significantly evolved its software portfolio, including a range of AI-based solutions that now underpin more than 80 per cent of its robotics offerings. This extensive software expertise empowers users to operate ABB robots with ease and precision, while ABB’s deep domain knowledge enables it to tailor solutions to the specific demands of various sectors. With over 100 AI-enabled solutions currently under development, ABB is well-equipped to support India’s trajectory toward greater automation and smarter manufacturing.

What are some specific applications where AI-driven robotics is showing significant promise?

AI is transforming robotics by driving new levels of autonomy, expanding applications into diverse sectors, and making robots more accessible to a broader range of users. The advancements in AI are enabling robots to perform complex tasks such as gripping, picking, and placing with greater precision, as well as navigating through dynamic environments. For example, ABB’s Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (Visual SLAM) technology allows robots to autonomously map and adapt to their surroundings, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure and enabling more flexible production setups.

AI-driven robotics is opening new ways for people to work alongside robots. Advances in AI interfaces, including generative AI, allow users to program robots through natural language, making it easier for those without coding skills to operate them. This lowers the entry barrier, enabling a wider workforce to engage with robotics, which is particularly valuable for small to medium-sized businesses facing labor shortages.

AI’s predictive capabilities further support operational efficiency by enabling predictive maintenance, which is crucial in industries like automotive manufacturing where downtime is costly. Machine learning algorithms, meanwhile, optimise robotic processes by analysing data from robots performing similar tasks, enhancing overall productivity. Altogether, AI-driven advancements are making robotics more efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly, accelerating the adoption of robotics across diverse industries.

With robots and automation becoming more prevalent on factory floors, what steps are companies in India taking to ensure the safety of human workers?

As robots and automation become more prevalent on factory floors, companies are prioritising worker safety by using robots to handle dangerous, repetitive tasks. For example, robots are deployed in hazardous environments, such as narrow elevator shafts, to perform tasks like drilling and scanning surfaces with precision, reducing human error and minimizing risk. In construction, robots are replacing manual labor in tasks like tying and welding reinforcing bars, improving efficiency and safety by reducing physical strain and potential injuries.

This shift to automation not only boosts productivity but also addresses labour shortages and the challenges of an aging workforce. By taking over high-risk tasks, robots allow workers to focus on more skilled, meaningful jobs, contributing to a safer, healthier, and more productive work environment. Ultimately, automation is enhancing worker safety and making factories more efficient and sustainable.

Will the rise of robots and automation impact job availability in India?

The rise of robots and automation in India will bring upon new opportunities across various sectors. Once confined to large industrial facilities, robots have become increasingly accessible and user-friendly due to advances in technology, particularly AI. These advancements are reducing the entry barriers to robotics, allowing even small- and medium-sized businesses without prior experience to leverage robotics for enhanced productivity and competitiveness. AI’s growing role in robotics is making it easier for people without programming skills to operate robots, and in the future, generative AI may allow robots to be controlled through simple voice commands, broadening their usability even further.

While automation may reduce demand for certain manual roles, it also drives the need for new roles focused on the design, programming, maintenance, and management of robotic systems. This shift emphasizes the importance of workforce training and education, as companies will need to invest in programs that equip employees with the skills required to work alongside robots. Preparing the workforce for this transition involves fostering adaptability and technical skills, ensuring that employees are well-equipped to thrive in a more automated workplace. This focus on reskilling and upskilling will be essential for businesses and industries aiming to benefit from robotics while providing growth and stability for their workforce.

How do you see the future of robotics shaping up in India?

The robotics market is poised for significant transformation, driven by several key trends:

AI integration in robotics: A major trend is the increasing integration of AI into robotics. AI-enabled mobile robots, cobots, and other robotic applications are transforming industries beyond traditional manufacturing, including logistics, healthcare, life sciences, retail, and construction. This shift is expected to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability across these sectors, creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.
Expansion into new sectors: Robotics is expanding into new industries and sectors that have not traditionally been served by automation. AI-powered robots are making significant contributions in dynamic environments like healthcare and life sciences, while also driving productivity improvements and safety enhancements in the construction industry.
AI-driven accessibility and education: Another key trend is the role of AI in simplifying programming and robot-human interaction. With AI-enabled systems, robots can be programmed more easily through methods like lead-through or even natural language, making robotics more accessible to a broader audience. This trend also helps close the automation skills gap, providing new job prospects and enabling businesses to leverage robotics with minimal technical expertise.

These trends are reshaping the robotics landscape, fostering innovation, improving productivity, and opening new opportunities for industries and workers alike.

Can SMEs take advantage of robots (or cobots) in India?

Yes, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India can indeed benefit from adopting robots, particularly collaborative robots (cobots). ABB’s collaborative robots are designed to be both affordable and have a rapid return on investment, making them well-suited for SMEs looking to enhance productivity without heavy upfront costs. Many SMEs have successfully deployed cobots for tasks like assembly, material handling, and pick-and-place operations, achieving substantial cost savings in a relatively short time.

Cobots offer unique advantages by working directly alongside human operators, sharing tasks, and leveraging AI to learn and adapt. This allows companies to automate repetitive, hazardous, or physically demanding tasks, enhancing safety and efficiency in smaller-scale operations. Advances in AI are further simplifying robot programming and operation, shifting the focus from traditional programming skills to more accessible interfaces, which makes cobots even easier to use for businesses with limited technical expertise. This evolution not only opens new opportunities for SMEs to overcome labor shortages but also creates new job roles that focus on collaboration between humans and robots, helping SMEs remain competitive and agile in a rapidly evolving market.