How 'Make in India' robots are creating global benchmarks | The new game-changers

Robots continue to be a hot topic of discussion amongst tech enthusiasts, as the next big step in the evolution of technology. They represent a way to help humans migrate from mundane to more fulfilling tasks, all the while ensuring reduced errors, round-the-clock productivity, and ever-evolving capabilities. 

Smart businesses understand the benefit behind this proposition, which is why we are witnessing a rapid year-on-year growth in the robotics industry, with the entire market being valued at around $43 billion in 2021. That’s impressive growth, considering the market was still around $25-30 billion last year. This translates to double digit growth even in the middle of a global pandemic. Ribin Mathew, CEO & Co-founder, ANSCER Robotics (creators of Asia's first ''robot brain"), shares his knowledge on robotics world and decodes how 'Make in India' robots are creating global benchmarks and emerging as the new game changers in the country.

Explaining the outset, Ribin Mathew says, "Usually, the word "robot" brings to mind a humanoid being, capable of making intelligent conversation - for example, Sophia, the social humanoid robot - and often sparking either awe or serious discomfort. However, there are actually various other types of robots that are far more affordable and enabling companies across industries to benefit from their features, for example robotic arms and collaborative robots. One type that is increasingly gaining prominence is the Autonomous Mobile Robot, or the AMR. These are mobile solutions that can move through an environment, making real-time decisions by using state-of-the-art sensors, cameras, and advanced AI algorithms to navigate and choose the most efficient route."

Autonomous mobile robot (AMR) 

"In general, increased importance on improving ergonomics in the workplace already had companies looking at solutions like autonomous mobile robots or AMRs to transport material in the workplace and relieve humans of the strenuous tasks. But the COVID-19 pandemic has further transformed the way businesses function in nearly every way imaginable, especially in manufacturing. Social distancing norms and labor migration means less people on the shop floor to handle demand surges in segments like automotive, electronics, e-commerce, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals, leaving companies struggling to find a solution to ensure robust supply chains. AMRs are the perfect answer to transform internal mobility, and can be used for specialized processes, including transporting inventory and product across an environment, order picking operations, and even sortation processes. They are also available in multiple sizes, and are capable of lifting hundreds and thousands of kilograms of product. This means they can be easily deployed to suit the unique scale and operational needs of the business in question, and help conquer the challenges of speedy order fulfillment. Even hospitals, hotels, and restaurants can make use of AMR solutions to safely transport medicines, food, and more, while reducing contact between people to reduce the virus spread," he added.

India: Developing world-class robotics

"Robots are considered a luxury, even in large-scale manufacturing, thanks to some of the first and largest robotic companies being foreign and available only through import. While this was the case even just 1-3 years ago, we can now safely say that  India is slowly and steadily rising to the task of developing world-class robotics using native expertise. This means Indian manufacturers can Make in India by reaping the benefits of homegrown, next-gen technology. It's about time, too - after all, India represents one of the highest-potential robot markets in the world," he further added.

India: Record robot installations in 2020

"As of the latest study by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), India is on the top 15 list of the highest number of recorded robot installations in 2020, with 3,200 robots deployed. However, we still have a long journey ahead of us and are considerably behind China, which topped the charts with almost 170,000 robots installed in the country. Other leading manufacturers include - in order of greatest to least robot deployments - Japan, USA, the Republic of Korea, and Germany, with each investing in 22,000 to 39,000 robots in just 2020," he explained.

Powerful automation tool 

"There is a strong correlation between the strongest manufacturers and robot deployment. It is important we realize this in our own country to harness a powerful automation tool that can skyrocket and cement our place as a leading manufacturer," he concluded.