Robotics and Automation in Indian Manufacturing
Published on : Wednesday 12-08-2020
A webinar organised by VDMA India presented an insightful overview on post Covid Opportunities of Robotics and Automation in Indian Manufacturing.
VDMA India organised a webinar on 09th July, 2020 on the topic ‘Post Covid Opportunities of Robotics and Automation in Indian Manufacturing’ along with its Knowledge Partner Euro Asia Consulting (EAC) with the aim to provide an overview on ‘Post Covid Opportunities of Robotics and Automation in Indian Manufacturing, Challenges and Opportunities, Technology Landscape and Fast Forwarding Digitalisation – Understanding the New Normal for Manufacturing Sector’.
The welcome address and keynote were delivered by Mr Rajesh Nath, Managing Director, VDMA India. The moderation was done by Ms Jamly John, General Manager, VDMA India. The panellists included Mr Unmesh Lohite, Principal, EAC – Euro Asia Consulting; Mr Krishna Bhojkar, Head Manufacturing Engineering Department, SKODA – Volkswagen India; Mr Gautam Rawal, Country Business Unit Head – Factory Automation, Siemens Ltd; and Mr Krishnan R Iyer, COO, Schwing Stetter India Pvt Ltd.
The Speakers gave insights on how extended lockdowns have ‘flattened the curve’ and though cases have been doubling every 18.5 days, the spread continues; so companies would be planning to adopt Covid safety SOPs till development of cure or vaccine for Covid-19 arrives. The Covid impact has led to a decline in the manufacturing sector with rise in various operational challenges wherein R&A deployment emerges as potential mitigation option. The pandemic has forced companies to increase focus on sustainability presenting opportunities for R&A in manufacturing. As businesses start recovery post Covid, R&A shall play a critical role to enable users attain the new normal wherein R&A adoption and sophistication is expected at every recovery stage.
India is a nascent market for R&A solutions with only 1% of global robotics installations but growing at 21% CAGR with future opportunities expected across sanitisation, pick and place and material transfer processes. Variations in technology and usage demand has led to creation of wide R&A solution offerings that can be used across processes and industries and be customised to end user requirements. R&A solution cost comprise one time and recurring costs wherein the total solution cost is determined by various factors that change with each user requirement. There are challenges in adoption and implementation, which are characterised by compatibility issues, import dependence on parts and limited cyber security infrastructure in manufacturing. R&A adoption focuses more to shift from application in hazardous processes in the past to overall operational resilience and optimal manpower utilisation post Covid-19 future with increased technology sophistication.
India stands as the 5th largest economy in the world. The Indian automotive industry had a share of 7.5% GDP in 2019-20. The various challenges that the Robotics Automation division is facing in India are Covid-19, Low RoI, Brown Field Integrations, Alternative Solutions, Upkeep and Spares, Safety, Infrastructure, Expertise, Uncertain Market, etc. On the other hand, the opportunities for robotic automation sector in India are Make in India, High Volumes, Operations Safety, Increased Performance, Consistent Quality, Complex Applications, IR Concerns and Fast Trouble Shooting with Covid-19.
The ‘Big Why and What’ as to why is there a need for Intelligent Automation is allowing decisions to be made autonomously by machines, automated work allocation based on Skill Matrix, Reduce Touch Points, Real time Production Performance Visibility, De-Skilling/Individual Judgement, Zero Fault Forward, Traceability and Genealogy, Smart Preventive/Predictive Maintenance, and the fact that digitally mature companies are more resilient.
The webinar was concluded with a Q&A session. There were a total of 320 participants logged in.
