Industrial Automation Magazine India

Robotic systems play an important part in automating many production processes

Published on : Monday 05-06-2023

Mukund Shah, CEO, Affordable Robotic & Automation Pvt Ltd (ARAPL).

What is the present status of sector wise robots penetration in India? What are the segments that are witnessing increased demand?
The Industrial Internet of Things, mobile autonomous robots, collaborative robots, and/or open-source software are a few developments that have an impact on the robotics sector. Additionally, popular subjects like 5G, edge computing, and smart mobility have an impact on the industry. The main sectors with higher robots penetration in India are:
 
Warehousing and logistics: Robots are increasingly being used in logistics and warehousing operations as a result of the growth of e-commerce and the requirement for effective supply chain management.
 
Manufacturing: Industrial robots have been widely used in India's manufacturing industry, notably in the consumer products, electronics, and automotive sectors. The desire for increased productivity, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness is what fuels the demand for automation in the industrial sector. The deskilling of operations is a key demand of the manufacturing sector and robots can meet the same.
 
Healthcare: Robotic technologies are becoming more popular in India's healthcare industry. Surgical treatments, physical therapy, diagnostics, and patient care all make use of robots. Robots are currently deployed for nursing assistance including delivery of equipment and medicines.
 
The industries that are witnessing increased demand in India are:
Electric cars (EVs): As the importance of reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change has grown, so has consumer demand for electric cars. This pattern has been influenced by improvements in EV technology, government incentives, and a developing infrastructure for charging stations.
 
Health and Wellness: As people's attention to their health has increased, the health and wellness sector has been expanding steadily. The government's schemes for ensuring a large population have also raised demand for medical services.  This includes a rise in demand for natural and organic food items, exercise gear, nutritional supplements, and wellness services.
 
E-commerce: With the popularity of online purchasing, the e-commerce industry has seen rapid expansion. The rising demand for online retail has been influenced by increased convenience, more product options, and better logistics.
 
Traditionally the automotive industry has been the main user of industrial robots. How will the electrification of mobility impact this dominance?
The dominance of the automotive sector in the usage of industrial robots is anticipated to be significantly impacted by the electrification of transportation. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) will bring about various changes, even though the automotive industry has traditionally been a significant user of industrial robots for jobs like welding, assembling, and painting in the manufacturing of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.
 
Battery production: Electric cars primarily rely on battery technology; hence the move to EVs will call for a greater emphasis on battery manufacture. As a result, there will be an increase in the need for robots created expressly for battery manufacture, which might change the kinds of robots used in the automobile sector.
 
Manufacturing techniques specialised for EVs: The switch to electric transportation also ushers in fresh production techniques particular to EVs. Changes in the robot needs for automobile manufacturing may also result from the integration of electric powertrain components and the installation of sophisticated sensor systems for autonomous driving.
 
Easier manufacturing processes: Compared to ICE vehicles, electric cars have fewer moving parts and less complicated engine and gearbox systems, which results in easier manufacturing processes. This simplicity may reduce the need for particular industrial robots that were employed in ICE-related tasks.
 
The Covid pandemic struck a blow for digital transformation. Has this led to increased demand for robotic automation?
Yes, the Covid-19 epidemic has increased the demand for digital transformation in a variety of businesses. As firms confronted concerns such as social distance, remote work, and supply chain interruptions, many resorted to automation technology, especially robotic automation, to solve these issues and improve operational resilience.
 
Here are a few examples of how the Covid-19 epidemic has raised need for robotic automation:
 
i. Robots have been used in hospitals and healthcare institutions to aid with a variety of duties, including decontamination, supply and drug delivery, and even telehealth services.
 
ii. With disruptions in global supply chains and the necessity to preserve social distance in production facilities, demand for factory and warehouse robots has increased.
 
iii. Despite the epidemic, there has been a movement towards contactless encounters in retail and hospitality venues. Robotic automation has been employed for a variety of jobs, including automated checkouts, inventory management, and even customer support via chatbots and virtual assistants.
 
How is the entry of cobots and AMRs/AGVs changing the overall scenario of robotic automation in the manufacturing industry?
The introduction of cobots (collaborative robots) and AMRs/AGVs (autonomous mobile robots/automated guided vehicles) into the industrial industry has had a substantial influence on the overall situation of robotic automation. Here are some examples of how these technologies are altering the industry:
 
Increased flexibility and adaptability: Cobots are meant to be readily programmed and reprogrammed for multiple jobs and workflows, giving them flexibility and adaptability. This enables producers to respond rapidly to changing production requirements and easily handle lower batch sizes or frequent product modifications.
 
Improved collaboration: Cobots are meant to work alongside human beings, aiding them in a variety of jobs. This partnership between people and cobots has increased manufacturing productivity, efficiency, and flexibility.
 
Improved efficiency: AMRs/AGVs are autonomous robots capable of navigating and moving materials or items throughout a production plant, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity.
 
While robots are gaining in versatility with integration of machine vision and greater use of AI/ML capabilities, is there a supporting infrastructure in terms of skills and system integrators?
The progress of robotics, machine vision, and AI/ML capabilities has definitely expanded their adaptability. There is an expanding number of system integrators specialising in integrating robotics and automation technologies into current systems and operations. These integrators collaborate with customers to understand their unique requirements, build customised solutions, and assure the effective installation and integration of robots technology.
 
In general, as technology advances, there is an increasing demand for competent personnel capable of developing, deploying, and maintaining robotic systems. These experts frequently require knowledge of robotics, computer vision, machine learning, and software engineering. Universities, technical institutions, and online learning platforms are responding to this need by providing specialised programmes and courses in these fields.
 
Overall, as the need for robotic systems grows, so does the supporting infrastructure in terms of skills and system integrators, while it may still be emerging in some regions and industries.
 
Will the recent emphasis on manufacturing incentives for the electronics industry via PLI schemes lead to greater demand for robotic solutions?
The increasing emphasis in the electronics sector on production incentives, such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, may contribute to a rise in demand for robotic solutions. Here are some of the reasons:
 
i. PLI schemes are floated to remove competitive disadvantages compared to China and thus making the manufacturing sector competitive in cost and quality for the world market from India.
 
ii. Robotic systems can conduct jobs with great accuracy on a consistent basis, eliminating human mistakes and assuring consistent product quality. This is especially significant in areas where accuracy and quality control are critical to the end output, such as electronics.
 
iii. Robotic systems play an important part in automating many production processes. Companies may increasingly use robotics to increase efficiency, productivity, and precision in their production lines in order to promote domestic electronics manufacturing.

iv. As the demand for electronics develops, manufacturers may need to swiftly increase their manufacturing capacity. Robotic systems provide flexibility and scalability, allowing businesses to swiftly respond to changing market needs with little delays or disturbances.
 
 (The views expressed in interviews are personal, not necessarily of the organisations represented)
 
Mukund Shah, CEO, ARAPL (Affordable Robotic & Automation Pvt Ltd), is a senior management professional with over four decades of experience in well known and reputed organisations. Mr Shah is a highly talented and well-respected industry leader with extensive expertise in strategic growth and transformation. His ability in developing new setups, managing operations from genesis to the next level of productivity, efficiency, and profitability provide a competitive advantage to the organisation.