TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Executive Summary 04
2. Vision, Mission & Objectives 07
2.1 Vision 07
2.2 Mission 07

2.3 Objectives 07

3. Introduction 08
3.1 What is Robotics? 08
3.2 Types of Robots 08
3.3 Artificial Intelligence and Technological Trends in the Field of Robotics 09
4 Global Scenario 12

4.1 Industrial Robots 12

4.2 Service Robots 12

4.3 Global Policy Analysis 13

5 National Scenario 16

5.1 An Overview 16

5.2 National Efforts 17

5.3 Current Challenges in the Indian Robotics Ecosystem 19

6 Focus Areas for Robotic Automation in India 22

6.1 Manufacturing 23

6.2 Healthcare 25
6.3 Agriculture 27
6.4 National Security 28
7. Strategic Recommendations 31
7.1 Institutional Framework 31
7.2 Building the Indian Robotics Ecosystem- Recommendations 32
8 Conclusion 40

03
 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Globally, governments and the industry alike are harnessing transformative

technologies to respond to opportunities and exogenous shocks. Artificial Intelligence is
one such critical technology pivotal in solving national challenges and building
economic resilience.

Over the past several years, India has taken concrete steps to encourage the adoption
of AI in a responsible manner and build public trust in the use of this technology, placing
the idea of ‘AI for All’ at its very core. India’s approach to AI is holistic and ambitious, as
evidenced by the breadth and scope of government interventions focused on
democratising the benefits of this technology. The Government of India’s ‘India AI’ is an
umbrella program that harmonizes existing AI initiatives, from building language models
(Digital India Bhashini) for increasing digital accessibility for citizens to skilling programs
(YUVAi) demystifying AI for school students, to achieve the common goal of ‘making AI
in India and making AI work for India’.

AI is expected to have a significant impact in the realm of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS),

which is the common appellation for systems that combine physical and cyber
components to perform complex tasks. The interaction of the virtual world with
components of physical systems over distributed networks has presented the
generational opportunity to power social and economic outcomes for our future.
Robotics is a key CPS technology that relies on AI algorithms to process and interpret
sensory data, make decisions, and execute actions in the physical world.

India has also made significant strides in the field of robotics, with a focus on developing
and harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technologies to promote innovation that
leads to sustainable and inclusive development across the economy. This was
evidenced by robotics installations in India surging by 54% to 4,945 units in 2021 ranking
India 10th for the highest annual installation of industrial robots in the world. However, the
effects of the coronavirus pandemic and geopolitical instabilities continue to persist in
compromising global supply chains, prolonging the scarcity of critical components and
further exacerbating the need for India to achieve self-reliance in robotics.

As economies around the world diversify and recalibrate their supply chains, India has
the generational opportunity to strengthen its robotics ecosystem and realign its global
positioning. There is an immediate need to undertake comprehensive efforts to develop
indigenous capabilities and leverage the potential opportunities from the Robotics
revolution. The National Strategy for Robotics aims to position India as a global leader in
robotics to actualise its transformative potential. It also builds upon Make in India 2.0
which has identified robotics as one of the 27 sub-sectors to further enhance India’s
integration in the global value chain. A holistic and coordinated mechanism is
envisioned to strengthen India’s industrial capabilities, the need for domestic value
addition, augmenting employability, and helping India emerge as a “Robotics Hub” for

04
the world. The strategy also aims to fully maximize the benefits of an AI-integrated
society by leveraging the momentum of the Government of India’s AI initiatives to drive
advancements in robotic technology in India.

While Robotics is a multidisciplinary technology that has the potential to transform and
disrupt a wide range of sectors and industries, its adoption to date has been primarily
driven by economic motivations. However, given the potential of Robotics to catalyse
large-scale social transformation, there is a need for national strategies, policies, and
programs to converge efforts towards a few priority sectors that are poised to create
large-scale socio-economic impact. This strategy identifies four such sectors to
prioritise robotics automation in India, namely- Manufacturing, Agriculture, Healthcare,
and National Security. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY),
serving as the nodal agency for Robotics, has proposed a two-tier institutional
framework to facilitate the implementation of the National Strategy on Robotics, which
will be undertaken as the ‘National Robotics Mission’. To reap the benefits of deploying
robotics at scale, multiple interventions have been recommended across the key pillars
of a robotics innovation cycle which include Research and Development, Demonstration
and Testing, Commercialization and Supply Chain Development, and Adoption and
Awareness.

Research in Robotics in India is still in its nascent stages and requires large-scale
concerted and collaborative interventions. The National Strategy on Robotics aims to
enhance the research and development capabilities of the robotics ecosystem in India
by improving the availability of funding, converging efforts with CoEs for AI and Cyber
Physical Systems, establishing platforms for global partnerships, attracting and
retaining skilled professionals and funding Moonshot Projects for pathbreaking research
innovation.

To build public trust in the technology and ensure its responsible and safe adoption,
demonstration and testing have been prioritised. For this objective, the development of
infrastructure and demonstration facilities for the testing, validation, and certification of
robots has been recommended.

Additionally, to localise supply chains and enable the scaling of robotics innovation,
fiscal and non-fiscal interventions are proposed. The strategy recommends innovative
funding mechanisms for robotics start-ups to enable commercialisation and the
development of supporting infrastructure and policy measures to increase domestic
value addition and promote exports.

Further, to increase the penetration and adoption of robots in India, multiple

demand-side interventions have also been proposed. Market expansion levers
providing fiscal and non-fiscal support, creation of a regulatory framework, awareness
campaigns as well as access to network infrastructure have been identified.

As robotic automation furthers the benchmarks of technological aptitude required,

there is an emergent need for the development of a skilled workforce. The strategy
proposes recommendations to build capacities across the innovation lifecycle with a

05
focus on providing training and education in robotics and related fields. This will help to
ensure that India has the talent and expertise needed to compete in the global robotics
market.

Overall, the National Strategy on Robotics aims to create a conducive environment for
the growth and development of the robotics sector in India, to drive innovation and
economic growth, while also improving the quality of life for citizens. This strategy will
form an integral part of the overall India AI vision and see the advancement of India’s
Cyber-Physical Systems objectives.

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2 VISION, MISSION & OBJECTIVES

2.1 Vision
The vision for India’s National Strategy on Robotics is deeply rooted in the tenets of
‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas’, ‘Make AI in India and Make AI work for
India’, and ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abyan’.
As part of the overall India AI vision, the National Strategy on Robotics aims to maximise
the economic and socio-technical benefits of robotic technology while minimizing risks
and associated challenges.
2.2 Mission
• Make India a global hub for the research, design, development, and manufacturing of
robotics and promote large-scale adoption.
• Ensure the creation of a sustainable and robust ecosystem for Robotics innovation
and entrepreneurship in India.
• Ensure global competitiveness of Indian robotics companies and start-ups.
• Promote the creation of Indian IPR in the field of robotics.
• Nurture a skilled robotics workforce.
2.3 Objectives
• Positioning India as a global leader in robotics for manufacturing, healthcare,
agriculture, and national security sectors, by 2030.
• Augmenting the stability and competitiveness of the domestic industrial foundation
to increase domestic value addition across the supply chain.
• Fostering and improving the domestic research and innovation ecosystem through
targeted investments in alignment with India’s robotics priorities.
• Ensuring a coherent and holistic approach to robotics research and innovation in
India, including convergence with emerging cyber -physical systems and AI
technologies.
• Increasing the penetration of robots in India by augmenting the depth and breadth
of its applications and creating new markets domestically and internationally.
• Strengthening India’s collaboration with global robotics centers, academic
institutions, experts and organisations.
• Establishing governance mechanisms to position India as the global benchmark for
the performance, quality, and reliability of its robots.
• Developing a skilled workforce by providing training and education in robotics and
related fields.

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3.1 What is Robotics?
INTRODUCTION 3
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) defines Robotics as the science and practice of
designing, manufacturing, and applying robots (clause 2.16 of IS 14662: 2018). Robotic
technology encompasses the design, construction, operation, and use of robots. A robot
operates by sensing its environment, carrying out computations for decision making,
and performing actions. Sensors in the robot collect and feed measurements to a
controller or computer, which processes them and subsequently sends control signals
to motors and actuators which allows the robot to interact with its environment.
Recently, advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have led to the
development of more advanced robots that can perform tasks that were previously
thought to be exclusive to humans, such as visual perception, speech recognition, and
decision-making.

3.2 Types of Robots

The Scope of the National Strategy is limited to the classification of robots as per the
Bureau of Indian Standard’s standards for robots- IS 14662, as detailed below:

3.2.1 Industrial Robots: Industrial robots are “automatically controlled,

reprogrammable multipurpose manipulator, programmable in three or more axes,
which can be either fixed in place or fixed to the mobile platform for use in automation
applications in an industrial environment”, where axes refer to the number of
moveable joints. The mobile platform is an assembly of components that enables
locomotion and can provide the structure by which to affix a manipulator - a
mechanism consisting of an arrangement of segments, jointed or sliding relative to
one another. Industrial robots are used in manufacturing and assembly line
operations, o handle specific automation applications such as picking and placing
objects; assembling and packaging; ironing, cutting, or welding; and product
inspection, among others.

3.2.2 Service Robots: BIS further defines Service robots as robots for personal use or
professional use that perform useful tasks for humans or equipment (IS 14662). Tasks
in personal use include handling or serving items, transportation, physical support,
providing guidance or information, grooming, cooking and food handling, and
cleaning. While tasks in professional use include inspection, surveillance, handling of
items, transportation, providing guidance or information, cooking and food handling,
and cleaning. Service robots are used in non-industrial environments, such as homes,
hospitals, and offices.

3.2.3 Medical Robot: Medical Robot as per BIS is intended to be used as medical
electrical equipment or medical electrical systems and is not regarded as an
industrial robot or service robot (IS 13450 (Part 4/Sec 1) ).

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 3.3 Artificial Intelligence and Technological Trends in the Field of
Robotics
Artificial Intelligence encapsulates a range of methodologies and applications, such
as machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and robotics. It has the
capability to embed copious amounts of knowledge in intelligent systems while also
significantly augmenting the efficiency and effectiveness of their decision-making in
data-rich environments.
Sectoral
Applications

Deep Learning

Unsupervised Machine lOT

Learning
Supervised Vision

Text Generation Sensors

Question Answering
Natural Language Actuators
Processing (NLP)
Context Extraction
Artificial CPS Feedback Systems
Intelligence
Machine Translation

Robotics
Speech to text
Speech
Text to Speech

Image Recognition
Vision Blockchain
Machine Vision

Virtual Physical

Figure 1: Convergence of AI and Robotics

AI in Robotics
Artificial Intelligence is enabling robots to perform more complex tasks and make
decisions autonomously. In robotics, AI aims to better manage variability and
unpredictability in the external environment enabling robots to learn from data and
improving their performance over time. For example, a robot can be trained to recognize
objects in its environment by analysing a large dataset of images and identifying
patterns that are characteristic of different types of objects. Once the robot has learned
to recognize objects, it can use this knowledge to perform tasks such as grasping or
navigating around objects. Learning approaches are being utilised in addressing
problems in designing robots. Machine learning algorithms can also be used to improve
the control of robots such as using reinforcement learning to optimize the robot's control
policies. Also, deep learning techniques such as convolutional neural networks can be
used for image processing, such as object detection and semantic segmentation.
Commercial use cases of AI in robotics can broadly be divided into:

• Sense-and-response applications: This refers to real-time robot applications that

use sensors, including cameras, to detect the robot's position and the objects it needs
to manipulate. Machine learning algorithms aid in the sensing process, while
decision-making algorithms help the robot determine the best course of action, such
as choosing the optimal force and gripper position for object manipulation and

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 identifying the best path to the target destination. These response algorithms may
either be AI-based or a fusion of AI and traditional algorithms.

• Performance optimization: Artificial intelligence is utilized in various ways to enhance

process design, robot programming, maintenance, and quality inspection. These
applications typically operate offline, where data is collected from robots and other
machines, analysed, and then used to modify robot programs.

As applications of robotics evolve, convergence with other emerging technologies will

be critical in catalysing the transformational power of robotic automation. A few such
technological trends are detailed below:

3.3.1 Autonomous Systems:

Autonomous systems can operate without human intervention, which can increase
efficiency, productivity, and safety in many industries. Autonomous robots and drones
are becoming increasingly popular in various industries, such as agriculture, logistics,
and transportation.

3.3.2 Internet of Things (IoT):

The integration of IoT technology with robots is allowing for real-time data collection
and monitoring, enabling better decision-making and process optimization. The
Internet of Things movement will facilitate the introduction of increased intelligence
and sensing into most robot systems, and we will see a significant improvement in
user experience. Sensor technology also plays a crucial role in the functioning of
robotics systems. Sensors are used to gather information about the environment, the
robot's own state, and the position of other objects. This information is then used by the
robot's control system to make decisions and perform tasks. Sensors are also used in
mobile robots for localization and mapping, for example, LIDAR and cameras, which
are used to detect the environment and navigate in it.

3.3.3 Human-robot collaboration (Cobots):

The development of robots that can safely and effectively work alongside humans is
becoming increasingly important in industries such as manufacturing and
healthcare. Collaborative industrial robots are designed to perform tasks in
collaboration with workers in industrial sectors. In such collaborative setups, the heavy
lifting is done by the robots (or precision operations) with human workers undertaking
higher-skilled jobs such as programming, maintaining, and coordinating robotic
operations.

3.3.4 5G and Edge Computing:

The implementation of 5G networks and edge computing is enabling faster data
transfer and processing, which is crucial for the real-time control and monitoring of
robots. Robotic systems often require powerful computing resources to process the
large amount of data that they gather from sensors and to make decisions and
execute tasks in real-time. Advanced computing platforms, such as multi-core
processors, graphics processing units (GPUs), and field-programmable gate arrays
(FPGAs), can provide the necessary computing power for these tasks. Advances in

10
cloud computing and edge computing are also enabling robots to access even more
powerful computing resources and share data and collaborate with other robots in
real-time. These technologies are also making it possible for robots to process and
analyse data closer to where it is gathered, which can help to reduce the amount of
data that needs to be transmitted to a central location for processing, thus reducing
latency and increasing the response time of the system.

3.3.5 Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing:

3D printing accelerates product design and reduces cost and waste, thereby
increasing the flexibility to create more complex designs. Advancements in 3D printing
of soft and flexible materials have been critical for the development of soft robots that
are safer and better adaptable to different environments. Soft robotics is a rapidly
growing field of robotics whereby the robots are fundamentally soft and deformable
allowing adaptive and flexible interactions in complex unpredictable environments.
Fabrication of soft robots is highly complex and time- and labour-intensive, therefore
3D printing of soft materials has enabled greater design complexity and faster
fabrication of soft robots.

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 GLOBAL SCENARIO 4
4.1 Industrial Robots
According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) presently there are over 3
million industrial robots operating in factories around the world, with half a million
installations added in 2021, representing a CAGR of 14% from 2016 to 2021. Asia remains
the world’s largest market for industrial robots with 74% of all newly deployed robots in
2021 installed in Asia.

One of the major factors driving the growth of industrial robots is the increasing
adoption of Industry 4.0, which involves the integration of advanced technologies such
as IoT, AI, and machine learning into industrial processes. This has led to the
development of more sophisticated and capable industrial robots, which can perform a
wide range of tasks and interact more naturally with humans. The increased demand for
automation due to the limited production capacity and the disruptions in supply chains
because of the pandemic has led to the electronics industry becoming the largest
consumer of industrial robotics with a year-on-year growth of over 24% followed by the
automotive and metal & machinery industries. As per the 2022 McKinsey Global
Industrial Robotics Survey, automated systems will account for 25% of capital spending
over the next five years with the Retail and Consumer Goods industry posed to be the
largest spenders. Industrial robots and automation will enable productivity gains, create
stable supply chains and solve skilled labour shortages.

According to the World Robotics Report 2022, the five major markets for industrial robots
are China, Japan, the United States, the Republic of Korea, and Germany. These
countries accounted for 78% of global robot installations. China ranked first in terms of
annual installations of industrial robots with 268,200 units in 2022 followed by Japan and
USA. China now installs more industrial robots per year than the rest of the world taken
together. The growth in China’s robotization of industries can be attributed to multiple
government interventions including the Five-Year Plan for the robotics industry, released
by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in Beijing in 2021.

Uptake of robotic automation in these leading countries is supported by strong

government support, a focus on economic competitiveness and industrial automation,
a skilled workforce, a strong industrial base, and significant investment in robotics R&D
and innovation.

4.2 Service Robots

The service robot industry has been growing rapidly in recent years, driven by advances
in technology and the increasing demand for automation in various service-oriented
industries. Service robots can improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety in
service-oriented operations, and can also help to reduce labour costs.

12
According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the market for professional
service robots grew to a turnover of $6.7 billion U.S. dollars globally– up 12% in 2020. In
2021, worldwide sales of professional service robots grew by 37% with more than 121,000
units sold. The growth of this industry is further fuelled by the increasing adoption of
robot-as-a-service (RaaS) models, through which robots are leased or rented instead
of purchased. Hospitality robots are growing in popularity, registering the largest growth
rate of 85% in 2021 and the RaaS fleet size is continuing to grow rapidly. Transportation
and logistics grew by 45% with over one out of every three professional service robots
sold in 2021 made for the transportation of goods or cargo sector. Sales of medical
robots were up 23%, including surgery robots, robots for rehabilitation and non-invasive
therapy, and robots for diagnostics.

4.3 Global Policy Analysis

National strategies and government policies of global leaders in robotics have been
analysed to benchmark best practices and provide strategic recommendations to
accelerate India’s adoption of robotics.

Countries Strategy Adopted Investments Outcome Sectors

China • 14th 5-Year Strategy Plan 2021: $ 43.5 million • 14th 5-Year •Manufacturing
Aims to improve innovation (2022) Strategy Plan 2021: • Agriculture
Average annual • Architecture
capabilities, build a foundation
growth rate of • Logistics
for industrial development, operating income in • Energy
increase the supply of high-end • Healthcare
the robotics industry
products, expand the depth and to exceed 20% • Education
• Elderly
breadth of applications, optimize
• Robotics+ services
the overall structure of the Application Action • Commercial
robotics industry. Plan 2023: Develop community
100 innovative service
• Key Special Program on robotics • Emergency
Intelligent Robots in 2022: To applications, and and extreme
implement the 14th 5-Year Plan over 200 model use environment
cases where those applications
by supporting advancements in technologies can be
Basic frontier technologies, applied by 2025.
Common key technologies,
Industrial robots, Service robots
and special robots.

• Robotics+ Application Action

Plan 2023: Aims to augment
robot density to promote high
quality economic and social
development.

13
Japan New Robot Strategy (2016-2020): $1370.5 Million • Government and •Manufacturing
- Aims to provide a plan for for 2020-2025 private sector • Service
sectoral robot related R&D investment in • Nursing and
projects as well as projects related to Medical
cross-sectoral activities such robots for 100 billion Infrastructure
as global standardization, yen. • Disaster
regulatory reform, and robot Response
awards and competition. • Expand robot • Construction
- The World Robotics Summit is market scale to 2.4 • Agriculture
organised by the trillion yen • Forestry
government every year to (annually)/ • Fishery
promote innovation, • Food Industry

- accelerate R&D, and • Reduce Costs for

adoption of Robots. initial introduction
- Robot Revolution & of robots by 20%
Industrial IoT Initiative (RRI) and double the
is established as the number of human
implementing agency. resources for
assisting
• Moonshot Research and introduction of
Development Program: robots to 30,000 by
Supports projects aimed to 2020.
develop robots that could
enhance both the physical and
mental limitations of the
human body and AI robots that
evolve alongside humans.

United National Robotics Initiative (NRI) $15.7 Million • Innovations in • Defence

States of 3.0: Aims to support fundamental (2021-2022) Integration of • Space
America research in the United States Robotics • Health
that will advance the science of • Transportation
robot integration. • Intensive • Agriculture
application of
• US DoD Budget For Unmanned robotics in Defence
System: Develop unmanned & Space
systems and robotics as they are
key technology areas that
enable the U.S. to counter the
range of evolving threats posed
on the modern battlefield.

South • The 3rd Basic Plan for $451.23 Million • Accelerate market • Root
Korea Intelligent Robots (2019-2023): for 2019 - 2023 size of the robotics • Textile
Promotes systematic industry (KRW 15 • Food and
dissemination and diffusion trillion by 2023) Beverage
through the selection of potential • Care
sectors and assignment of • Increase number • Wearable
responsibilities for the of companies • Medical Care
government and the private specializing in • Logistics
sector. robotics valued at
over KRW 100 billion-
• 2022 Implementation Plan for to be at least 20
the Intelligent Robot: Aims to companies by 2023)
implement the 3rd Basic plan
through facilitating full-scale • Expansion of the
testing of specialized manned or manufacturing
unmanned aerial vehicles, robot number
nurture skilled manpower and (cumulative 700,000
support industry education. units by 2023)

14
Germany • AUTONOMIK (2009-2014): $ 345.6 million- • Achieve a target of • Health
Program provided funding for for all 3.5% spend of GDP • Services
robot-related R&D projects in the technologies per annum in R&D • Chemicals
fields of manufacturing, logistics, (2021- 2026) by 2025 • Industry 4.0
and assembly. • Infrastructure
• The PAiCE program: Emphasizes • Agrifood
creation of robotics platform in • Mobility &
areas like service, logistics, and autonomous
manufacturing. vehicles
•The High-Tech Strategy 2025:
Supports R&D to advance
human technology interaction
which enables independence of
those in need of care and relieve
nurses.

15
5 NATIONAL SCENARIO

5.1 An overview
In the past decade India has made multiple strides towards strengthening its industrial
base with adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies such as robotics enabling
productivity gains. Since 2016, the operational stock of industrial robots has more than
doubled in India to reach 33,220 units in 2021, averaging at an annual growth rate of 16%.
Presently, in terms of annual industrial installations, India ranks 10th globally as per the
World Robotics Report, 2022. The long term potential of robotics in India is significant as
a catalyst for revolutionizing industries, driving inclusive growth and improving the
standard of living.

Operational Stocks of
Industrial Robots in India
1,000 Units

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021

6 8 10 12 14 16 19 23 26 29 33

However, despite its potential, the growth of the robotics ecosystem in India has been
slower in comparison to certain developed economies. This can be attributed to several
challenges, such as high import dependence, costly hardware components, and
insufficient investments in research and development.. Additionally, the dearth of
trained personnel for the implementation, integration, and maintenance of robots
further hinders the development of the domestic ecosystem. Therefore, to establish
India as a global hub for robotics, concerted efforts are required towards mitigation of
current ecosystem challenges as well as augmentation of national and state efforts.

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5.2 National Efforts
The Government of India acknowledges the importance of Robotics in transforming key
sectors of our economy and realising the full potential of Industry 4.0. Several initiatives
have been taken in the recent past to catalyse the robotics ecosystem in India.

5.2.1 Research & Development Centres

i. ARTPARK– Technology Innovation Hub under National Mission on
Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)
An Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) through a
public-private collaborative consortium with seed funding of INR 230 crore ($30
million) has been launched at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.
ARTPARK has been set up to leverage AI and robotics, to solve problems unique to
India. ARTPARK has the objective of channelising innovations to create societal impact
by executing ambitious mission-mode R&D projects in healthcare, education, mobility,
infrastructure, agriculture, retail, and cyber-security.

ii. Center for Advanced Manufacturing for Robotics and Autonomous Systems
(CAMRAS)
To reduce the import footprint of robotics and autonomous systems in the country,
ARTPARK-IISc is in the process of setting up an industry accelerator, the Centre for
Advanced Manufacturing for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CAMRAS).
ARTPARK-IISc has received approval from the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) to set
up CAMRAS for technology development in robotics and autonomous systems.

Five of ARTPARK’s pre-ventures in the areas of advanced cargo drones, robotic

actuators, legged robots, autonomous systems charging, and intelligent controllers
will form this MHI Accelerator. The organisation will also spearhead a skilling
programme to train 2,800 professionals in the field of next-generation advanced
manufacturing for robotics and autonomous technologies by 2025.

iii. I-HUB Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC) – IIT Delhi

IHFC is IIT Delhi’s Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) for Cobotics. The Department of
Science & Technology had sanctioned INR170 crores to IIT Delhi under the National
Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) to set up the IHFC,
which was incorporated as a Section-8 company by the Institute in 2020. Since its
inception, IHFC has been working with its collaborating institutes and organisations
and has launched 8 grand projects in the area of Medical Simulators, Healthcare
Robotics, Rehabilitation Robotics, Drone Applications, Human-Robot Interaction
(HRI)-Intelligence, HRI-Control, Industry 4.0, Intelligent and Secured Communication to
fund research and product development in these domains.

iv. Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)

Various laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
are involved in Research and Development in the areas of Robotics and Artificial
Intelligence. These include the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR),
Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) (R&DE(E)), Combat Vehicles
Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), and Vehicles Research and

17
 Development Establishment (VRDE). R&DE(E) is working on the development of robotic
platforms for defence applications. CVRDE and VRDE are involved in the development
of unmanned tracked and wheeled vehicles. CAIR is working in the field of autonomous
navigation, computer vision processing, and artificial intelligence, for the realization of
autonomous robotic and unmanned systems.

5.2.2 Capacity Building Initiatives

i. FutureSkills Prime
The government of India, through MeitY, is creating a revolutionary skilling ecosystem
focused on enhancing India’s digital talent. Under this initiative, a robust online
platform has been created to encourage remote and self-paced learning in the field
of emerging technologies. This program aims to offer subsidised access to certified
courses to interested participants in any of the 10 identified emerging technologies.
These include AI, Blockchain, Robotics, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, IoT, Virtual
Reality, 3D Printing, Big Data & Analytics, and Web 3.0.

ii. Atal Innovation Mission

With a vision to ‘Cultivate one Million children in India as Neoteric Innovators’, Atal
Innovation Mission is establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs) in schools across
India. ATLs have dedicated innovation workspaces where Do-It-Yourself (DIY) kits on
emerging technologies like robotics, IoT, etc. have been installed to enable students to
get hands-on exposure to these technologies.

iii. e-YANTRA
e-Yantra is a robotics outreach program funded by the Ministry of Education and
hosted at IIT Bombay. The goal is to harness the talent of young engineers to solve
problems using technology across a variety of domains such as agriculture,
manufacturing, defence, home, smart-city maintenance, and service industries.

5.2.3 Make-in-India Robots

i. DAKSHA
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of
Defence, developed the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) – ‘Daksha’, an automated
mobile platform for multi-purpose payloads. It has stair-climbing capabilities and can
be deployed for handling Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Daksha is currently
being utilised by the Indian Army.

ii. Vyommitra
Vyommitra is a spacefaring humanoid robot being developed by the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) to function onboard the Gaganyaan, a crewed orbital
spacecraft. Vyommitra was first unveiled on 22 January 2020 at the Human
Spaceflight and Exploration Symposium in Bengaluru. It will accompany Indian
astronauts in space missions and will also be a part of uncrewed experimental
Gaganyaan missions before the crewed spaceflight missions

iii. MANAV
Manav is India’s first 3D-printed humanoid robot. The two-kilo, two-foot tall robot has

18
 an inbuilt vision and sound processing capability which allows it to walk, talk and
dance — just in response to human commands. Developed by Delhi’s A-SET Training
and Research Institute, the humanoid robot is primarily meant for research purposes.

5.3 Current Challenges in the Indian Robotics Ecosystem

The current ecosystem faces a myriad of challenges impacting the development and
adoption of robotics in India. These challenges include:

5.3.1 Inadequate Skilled Human Resources

Existing capacity building initiatives are insufficient to support widespread adoption of
robotics in India as more targeted efforts are required to address ecosystem
challenges. One of the major challenges in robotics manufacturing is the integration
of multiple components and subsystems. Robots typically consist of numerous
individual parts that must be assembled and integrated in a precise and coordinated
manner. This requires a high level of engineering expertise and attention to detail to
ensure that the final product meets the required specifications and performance
standards. The Indian robotics ecosystem is facing growth impediments due to a
dearth of technical expertise and skilled resources. In particular, the limited availability
of technically proficient engineers and technicians equipped with the necessary skills
to design, develop, and maintain robots is a significant challenge. Moreover, the
dearth of skilled personnel specialized in robot maintenance and servicing creates a
significant roadblock for translating core and applied research into commercial value
propositions. Further, retaining top robotics talent within India has also been a
challenge. Technical training infrastructure such as ITIs and polytechnics do not have
the necessary facilities to train technicians and upskill existing recourses in
foundational jobs in robotics as per industry standards.

5.3.2 Heavy Reliance on Imports

The Indian Robotics supply chain is in its nascent stages, as compared to matured
markets for robotic automation like China and Japan which have been able to benefit
from economies of scale in their production processes thereby reducing the cost of
robots, their subsystems, and components. Given the limited robotic automation in
India and the lack of anchor units, the supply chain for robotics has been
disaggregated and unable to scale thereby limiting value addition in the country.
Robots are an amalgamation of various advanced technologies, typically consisting
of actuators, motors, gearboxes, PCBs, chips, and sensors. While indigenous
manufacturing of these components is picking up in India, a significant section of the
supply chain is yet to be localized. This import dependency is particularly significant
for magnets (a key component of motors), batteries, and chipsets. Robots are also
complex systems that are built on specifications requiring stringent quality assurance
and may require many of these components to be sourced from specific suppliers.
This further increases the import dependencies on certain critical components for
which the domestic ecosystem is in nascency.

The production of robotics components requires the use of specific raw materials
which can be subject to shortages or price volatility. This can impact the availability

19
 and cost of components locally, thereby furthering import dependencies from
cost-competitive markets.

5.3.3 High Costs

Many robotics applications require customized solutions that are tailored to specific
needs and environments. This can make it challenging to scale up production and
achieve economies of scale, as each robot may require unique components, software,
and manufacturing processes. Therefore, the high import dependency and lack of
scale in domestic production impact the cost and affordability of robots in the Indian
market.

From the demand side, integration of robotics in the supply chain is noted to be a long
and expensive process. Both preliminary and maintenance costs can make the
integration of robotics prohibitively expensive for small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs). The complexity of robots can also contribute to the cost of maintenance and
service. Robots consist of numerous individual parts and subsystems that must be
integrated and coordinated in a precise and reliable manner. This can make it
challenging to diagnose and repair issues when they arise, which can increase the
time and cost of service. This further leads to low adoption of robotics by MSMEs. High
ecosystem costs limits domestic demand and disincentivizes adoption of robots.

5.3.4 Technological Limitations

Concerted and collaborative efforts are essential to position India as a frontrunner in
building robotic innovation. Presently, foundational research focusing on
breakthroughs in core robotic technologies is in the nascent stages in India. To build
innovative applications, research priorities must be aligned with ecosystem
requirements through greater collaboration between domain experts and
practitioners throughout the robotics innovation lifecycle.

Given the complexity and criticality of robotics systems, ensuring high levels of quality
and reliability is essential. This requires rigorous testing and validation processes to
identify and address any issues before the robots are deployed in real-world
applications. Industrial innovation in India is also stifled due to infrastructural
constraints. The global competitiveness of Indian robotics manufacturers and
startups is impeded by the lack of access to advanced manufacturing facilities to
enable rapid and iterative prototyping, sampling, and testing.

5.3.5 Absence of Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Advances in robotic technology are increasingly becoming more interdisciplinary.
New-age robots integrate other emerging technologies such as 5G, AR/VR, IoT, and AI
among others to improve their functionalities. This interdisciplinary nature further
underscores the need for multidisciplinary collaboration among government
stakeholders, industry, academia, startups, and other relevant stakeholders. However,
the current ecosystem lacks robust mechanisms for such multidisciplinary
collaboration both within the domestic ecosystem as well as with global experts.

20
5.3.6 Lack of Awareness
The lack of awareness of robotics stems from the inadequate knowledge and
understanding of robotic technology and its potential benefits, which may lead to
misconceptions and underestimation of its impact, resulting in a reluctance to invest
in research, development, and deployment of robotics solutions. Limited
understanding of robotic technologies for improving operational efficiency, reducing
costs, and enhancing decision-making also impact its adoption, particularly by
MSMEs.

5.3.7 Limited Governance Mechanisms

Regulatory frameworks and security arrangements must evolve with growing
indigenous robotics use cases to ensure widespread adoption and innovation and
alleviate concerns around its safe, secure, and trusted deployment. The absence of
separate robotics legislation or legislation for allied technologies like AI, exacerbates
privacy and security risks, thereby limiting the adoption of robotic technology. Further,
a robust regulatory landscape that also addresses intellectual property protection as
well as the protection of robotic systems from cyber threats is currently lacking.
Technical standards are also essential for the development and diffusion of robots
and they are necessary for assessing how robots report data, for robot ontologies, for
interoperability, performance testing, safety, etc.

As indigenous use cases for robotics evolve, it is pertinent to establish as well as adapt
standards and certifications contextualised to the Indian ecosystem requirements.
enable obtaining licences for the end product. Bootstrapped start-ups and MSMEs are
also challenged with obtaining end product licenses due to high costs for certification
of robotics products and processes and intermediary components/sub-assemblies.

5.3.8 Lack of Reliable & Continuous Access to Foundational

Infrastructure
Constant and reliable energy supply is a major challenge for the robotics industry in
India, making it difficult for robots to operate continuously and efficiently. Additionally,
the absence of dependable and high-speed internet connectivity in some parts of
India poses significant limitations to the effective deployment of robots especially for
critical applications such as healthcare, national security etc. This also makes it
difficult for companies to remotely monitor and control their robots, which can limit the
potential benefits of automation.

5.3.9 Ethical Considerations

The responsible development, deployment, and adoption of robotics will only be
possible through building public trust in the use of this technology. This would require
addressing the ethical considerations around the impact of robotics on employment,
ensuring transparency where autonomous decision-making is involved, and
protecting the privacy, security, and trust of citizens at all points. Individual efforts may
have to be undertaken to ensure the fulfilment of each of these considerations,
supported by robust redressal mechanisms for citizens.

These challenges need to be addressed through systemic policy and programmatic

interventions to promote the growth of the robotics ecosystem in India. These
interventions are detailed out under Section 7 “Strategic Recommendations”.

21
 6 FOCUS AREAS FOR ROBOTIC AUTOMATION IN INDIA

The National Strategy on Robotics has identified four priority sectors with the maximum
potential of creating large-scale socio-economic impact through robotics adoption
and to position India as a global leader in robotics across these sectors by 2030:
1. Manufacturing
2. Healthcare
3. Agriculture
4. National Security
These sectors have been identified basis the parameters detailed below:
Maturity AI Assessment
Sector Size Growth Potential for
of Robotic Penetration
Potential Automation
Technology
Manufac- For the According to Robotic There has been a The The
turing first half the technology can significant uptake manufacturing manufacturing
of FY23, Purchaser's be leveraged for of robotics in and and production
the Gross Manufacturing several use cases industrial production sectors account
Value Index (PMI), including: automation and sectors for
Added the industry 4.0 use account for approximately
manufacturing • Logistics and
(GVA) of Warehousing cases in India. approximately 35% of AI
sector has
the been in an automation Further efforts are 35% of AI adoption across
industrial expansion needed toward adoption sectors in India.
sector • Shopfloor commercialisation across sectors
phase for 18
has transformation and building in India.
consecutive
increase months through Cobots. low-cost solutions.
d by 3.7% starting from • Production
surpassin July 2021. automation
g the The PMI
sub-indices • Process
average
suggest that Optimization
growth
rate of there has been
2.8% a reduction in
the pressure
achieved
on input costs,
in the first an
half (of improvement
each in supplier
year) of delivery times,
the last strong export
decade orders, and
future output.

Health- The share The Indian Robotic COVID-19-induced The To build on the
care of healthcare technology can safety and pharmaceutic momentum of
expenditu be leveraged for robotic
re on industry has hygiene measures al and
several use cases automation and
health in been growing have accelerated healthcare
including: AI adoption in
the total at a the adoption of sectors this sector and
expenditu Compound • Cleaning and robotics in the account for
Disinfecting reap the social
re on Annual Growth Indian healthcare 50% of AI
social • Safety and and economic
services Rate of Monitory sector. India has adoption dividends of
by the approximately • Surgical Robots also witnessed a across sectors harnessing the
Governm 22% since 2016. • Telemedicine growth in in India potential of
ent of • Rehabilitation robot-assisted robotics for
India has and physical surgeries for the transforming
increased healthcare, this
from 21% therapy past decade.
sector may be
in FY19 to prioritised.
26 % in
FY23 (BE)

22
Agricul- GVA of India's Robotic A number of There are over Given the
ture agricultur agricultural technology can underlying 1000 agritech importance of
e and be leveraged for Agriculture to
industry has technologies such startups in
allied several use cases the Indian
experienced as drones and India
including: economy as
sectors buoyant unmanned leveraging AI well as the
contribute growth, • Precision vehicles have and other potential of
s 18.3% in averaging an farming seen significant technologies. robotics to
the total annual growth • Cattle grazing investments from India is also leapfrog the
economy rate of 4.6% and Milking the public and the development
at current over the past • Crop and Soil private sector third-largest barriers faced
prices. six years. Health Monitoring alike. However, recipient of by this sector,
Additionally, in stronger agritech Agriculture may
• Crop harvesting
It is also recent years, lab-to-market funding be prioritised.
the • Crop Scouting
India has linkages are globally.
largest become a net • Spot Spraying required for the Several
employer exporter of uptake of robotics commercial
of the agricultural in this sector. use cases of AI
Indian products, with have been
workforce. record-breakin indigenously
g exports of developed and
$50.2 billion in adopted.
FY 2021-22. These are well
supported by
Government
initiatives such
as Digital
Agriculture
Mission,
Agristack, etc.

National The Indian In FY 2022-23, Robotic Multiple robotics The The sector may
Security defence India’s defence technology can use cases have Government of be prioritised
sector be leveraged for given its
sector exports been indigenously India is driving
expenditu several use cases strategic
increased over built and the adoption of
including: importance and
re is 10 times since deployed with the AI in the the appetite for
estimated 2016-17 to • Mine Detection Indian defence defence sector automation.
to be 3.3% almost $ 2 forces. and has
of the GDP • Surveillance
Billion. allocated ~
for • Remotely $12.34 million
FY2023-24 operated vehicles to each service
• Explosive for AI
Ordnance implementatio
Disposal n. Ministry of
Defence also
• Combat robots
launched
75 AI-enabled
products in
2022 at the
first-ever AI in
Defence
(AIDef)
symposium
and exhibition

As the adoption of robotics grows and as the technology evolves in India, other sectoral
priorities may be identified basis the parameters detailed above.

6.1 Manufacturing
The manufacturing sector has been pivotal to India’s growth as an economic
powerhouse. The government of India, through its flagship, ‘Make in India’ programme
aims to facilitate investment, foster innovation, build best-in-class infrastructure, and
make India a hub for manufacturing, design, and innovation across 15 manufacturing

23
 sectors. Domestic manufacturing of goods has also been supported through various
fiscal and non-fiscal policy interventions such as public procurement orders, the
Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP), and Schemes for Production Linked
Incentives (PLI) for various sectors with an outlay of about $26 billion. Tailwinds in the
sector have been evidenced in the overall positive growth of Gross Value Addition
(GVA) in the sector despite Covid-related disruptions. Moreover, the total employment
in this sector has increased from 57 million in the year 2017-18 to 62.4 million in the year
2019-2020.

Globally, the manufacturing industry is at the cusp of major technological

transformation and relocation. Evolving operational dynamics in the wake of COVID-19
and geopolitical instability require businesses to de-risk their operations. Hence
decentralization of supply chains as well as the transition to Industry 4.0 and
automation is being prioritized. To position itself as the manufacturing hub for the
world and maintain global competitiveness, the digital transformation of India’s
manufacturing sector is pertinent. As per NASSCOM, Indian Manufacturing has already
started to pivot towards digitization, with $5.5 - $6.5 Bn spent on Industry 4.0 in FY21.

6.1.1 Current Challenges

Despite its promising potential, the Indian manufacturing sector still faces a few
challenges, including:

i. Product Quality:
Inconsistency in product quality impedes the global competitiveness of goods
manufactured in India. This can be attributed to several factors including limited
quality control measures, limited access to advanced technology and machinery, and
a lack of standardized processes. To position itself as a global manufacturing hub,
India must enforce stringent quality norms for goods manufactured within the country
for both domestic and international consumers.

ii. Production Warehousing limitations:

It is difficult to hire and retain workers at warehousing facilities due to the pace of
packing an increasing volume of diverse orders, safety hazards associated with lifting
heavy loads etc. Additionally, given the limited availability of industrial land in India,
smaller warehouses are being constructed especially close to urban centers thereby
limiting inventory storage.

To improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety in industrial operations and warehousing,

improve product quality and build cost efficiencies, the adoption of robots must be
actively promoted in the Indian manufacturing sector.

6.1.2 Potential Use Cases of Robotics in the Manufacturing Sector

i. Logistics & Warehousing Automation:
To help mitigate/eliminate errors, speed up order fulfilment, reduce overhead and
running costs, and facilitate better inventory management. Robotic technologies like
an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) can be utilised in production warehouses for

24
 inventory management activities such as picking, packaging, transportation, sorting,
etc. Such robots utilise artificial intelligence, sophisticated sensors, and computing
technologies to interpret and navigate their environment.

The rising number of warehouses across the country and increased investments in
warehouse automation, along with labour availability issues and growing
technological solutions are driving the use of mobile robots in warehouses. With more
than 15 new-age Indian start-ups currently functioning in this field, providing optimal
solutions to warehousing and logistics, mobile robots are shaping the emerging
logistics industry in India. An example of this can be seen in Flipkart, India’s leading
e-commerce firm. Flipkart had deployed 100 robots to help sort out packages,
according to their location at one of its delivery hubs in Bengaluru. The robots were
able to process over 4,500 packages in an hour helping the e-commerce firm to
streamline its supply chain.

ii. Shopfloor Transformation through Cobots:

Collaborative industrial robots are designed to perform tasks in collaboration with
workers in industrial sectors. The automotive manufacturing sector is the largest
consumer of industrial robots in India and has been leveraging cobots to streamline
shop floor operations, increase worker safety and productivity and improve product
quality. German auto-component maker, Bosch’s Bidadi plant has cobots, or
collaborative robots, working alongside humans.

Bajaj Auto, a leading Indian automotive manufacturer, deployed ceiling-mounted

cobots to mitigate the challenge of space constraints in their manufacturing facility.
The cobots reduce ergonomic risks faced earlier by their employees by automating
highly repetitive & static posture tasks. The adoption of cobots has also led to a
reduction in redundancy-led fatigue and errors.

6.2 Healthcare
The Indian healthcare sector is estimated to grow to reach a size of $50 billion by 2025.
The government of India has also doubled down on its efforts toward the healthcare
sector as evidenced by the increase in the share of Government Health Expenditure in
the Total Health Expenditure (THE) of the country from 29% to 41.4% between 2014-15 and
2019-20.

6.2.1 Current Challenges:

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the fault lines within the healthcare sector
of India, including:

i. Ageing Population:
National Statistical Office (NSO)’s Elderly in India 2021 report states that there is likely to
be an increase of nearly 34 million elderly persons in 2021 as compared to 2011 (104
million). This is projected to rise by around 56 million over the next decade. Therefore,
there is an urgent need to augment healthcare services and infrastructure to
accommodate the growth in India’s ageing population

25
 ii. Limited Infrastructure:
As per the Rural Health Statistics 2020-21, presently, urban centers in India experience
a shortfall of 44.2% of PHCs as per the urban population norms, while there still exists a
shortfall of 29% of PHCs and 35% CHCs in rural India. Additionally, only 50% of the
country's population has access to 35% of hospital beds. Limited infrastructure in India
is one of the primary structural impediments to the accessibility of quality healthcare
services.

As has also been evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic, robotic automation has
been pivotal in augmenting the capacity of healthcare services in India and providing
welfare support to vulnerable and elderly communities. Additionally, given the
ecosystem challenges in the Indian healthcare sector, robotic technology should be
utilised to increase the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services.

6.2.2 Potential Use Cases of Robotics in Healthcare

i. Cleaning & Disinfecting Robots:
Healthcare-associated infections affect hundreds of millions of patients every year
with 15% of patients estimated to develop one or more infections during their hospital
stay. Robots are relevant in alleviating the workloads of health professionals in
high-risk jobs like disinfecting hospital areas. Disinfecting robots utilise ultraviolet-C
(UV-C) light or hydrogen peroxide vapour (HPV) for cleaning identified areas. Further,
Machine learning is utilised to view the space and give proper directions to the robot
and the robotic operating system manages the control between the spraying and
cleaning.

Lack of adequate sanitation in healthcare facilities is responsible for the high

incidence of maternal and neonatal sepsis, which also has a high fatality. Cleaning &
Disinfecting Robots will augment the quality of care, operation, and maintenance of
hygienic healthcare infrastructure. Moreover, the success of disinfecting robots in
India is evidenced by their utilisation by both the public and private sectors in the
management of the recent pandemic. Given the shortage of frontline workers and the
contagiousness of the virus, disinfecting robots were pivotal in ensuring the safety of
healthcare workers and the sterility of healthcare facilities.

ii. Safety & Monitoring Robots:

Telepresence systems use computer vision technology to monitor the patient’s vitals
and voice recognition to communicate with the patient. Monitoring of patients
through healthcare workers is enabled through two way audio visual communication.
AI-assisted vision enables them to measure & take all the vitals without making any
contact with the patient. COVID Pandemic has accelerated the requirement for such
Robots because of the need for contactless vital sign measurements.

As has been highlighted earlier, India has a large labour shortage in the healthcare
sector, across functions. So, to reduce the workload of medical staff, simpler tasks like
medicine vending and parameter monitoring can be automated using robots.
Additionally, given India’s increasing ageing population, old age dependency ratio,
26
 and limited healthcare facilities, robots enable round the clock real time monitoring of
patient vitals remotely by healthcare workers.

iii. Surgical Robots:

India got its first urologic robotic installation at the All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, New Delhi, in 2006. The following decade saw unprecedented growth in
robotic surgery in India. As of 2019, India had 66 centers and 71 robotic installations with
more than 500 trained robotic surgeons and over 12,800 surgeries performed with
robotic assistance. With the rising demand for surgeons in India, and as more robotic
surgeons get trained and surgical specialties increasingly utilize this technology, these
numbers are only growing.

Robotic Surgery allows surgery to be performed using small tools attached to a robotic
arm. The surgeon uses a computer system to control the robotic arm to which small
surgical tools are attached. Surgery can be performed through smaller cuts as
compared to conventional open surgery. The small and accurate movements that are
possible with this type of surgery have a multitude of benefits when compared to
standard surgical techniques. This technology enables surgeons to do complex
medical procedures through a small cut that could be done only with open surgery. In
India where nearly 70% of surgeries are open surgeries, as a form of minimally invasive
surgery, robotic-assisted surgery allows for fewer complications, shorter hospital
stays, faster recovery, smaller scars, reduced pain, and blood loss, etc.

6.3 Agriculture
In India, the contribution of the agriculture sector is vital for the economy. The agriculture
sector is the largest employer of the Indian workforce, accounting for 18.8% (2021- 22)
Gross Value Added (GVA) of the country and registering a growth of 3.6% in 2020-21 and
3.9% in 2021-22. Growth in allied sectors including livestock, dairying, and fisheries has
boosted the overall growth in the sector.

6.3.1 Current Challenges

Despite such gains, the Indian agriculture sector faces a few structural and
operational issues, including:

i. Productivity per unit of land:

Foodgrain productivity has grown at a very rapid pace in India, mainly driven by rice
and wheat. However, in India, because of varying levels of mechanisation and
irrigation, there is wide variation in crop productivity. Factors such as fragmented
landholdings, inadequate access to irrigation, limited access to technology etc. have
limited optimum productivity.

ii. Occupational Hazards:

Traditional farming in India is plagued with certain occupational hazards with
significant safety and health risks to farmers. One major hazard is the excess
vibrations from operating manual or outdated farming equipment which can lead to
musculoskeletal disorders, such as joint pain and back problems. Inhalation of dust

27
 also poses the risk of respiratory diseases and disorders while the use of pesticides in
farming practices exposes farmers to harmful chemicals, causing long-term health
issues. These occupational hazards underscore the urgent need for improved safety
measures and modernization in Indian farming practices to protect the well-being of
farmers.

The Government of India has made multiple strides to support farmers in enhancing
agricultural productivity through technological interventions such as the ‘Kisan
Drones’ initiative. Building on this momentum, robotic automation in the agriculture
sector aimed at maximising productivity and addressing safety risks to farmers’
welfare, may be undertaken. A few possible use cases of robotic automation in
agriculture are detailed below.

6.3.2 Potential Use Cases of Robotics in Agriculture

i. Crop scouting
Crop yields are affected by a multitude of parameters like landscapes, soil
compositions, moisture, pest pressure, crop maturity, and others. Good agricultural
practices need to be implemented at the right time to ensure a good crop yield.
Continuous monitoring of data such as leaf area index, crop growth rate, water stress,
etc. plays a critical role in optimizing the variable input parameters at different stages
of crop growth. Real-time monitoring of such parameters is a tedious and nearly
impossible task for a human to execute, hence robots could be considered an ideal
case for such scenarios. Given the labour shortage in India, the adoption of robots can
enable continuous monitoring of the crop canopy to ensure the detection of pest
attacks & crop diseases at an early stage to prevent any further damage to the crop.

ii. Spot Spraying Robot:

Robot vehicles may be leveraged to spray fertilizers to multiple dense locations which
may be difficult to access manually by farmers. With rapid advancements in
computer vision and artificial intelligence, contemporary robotic sprayers are
equipped with intelligence systems that allow selective spray of targeted areas
compared to traditional mechanised uniform spraying across the crop. Utilising such
robotic technologies limits the environmental impact of chemicals used, and
consumer exposure to pesticides, and prevents the development of resistance to
those substances by the pest.

6.4 National Security

The Indian defence sector in 2020 was estimated to be the third largest globally in terms
of its military expenditure and is presently valued at $ 122.81 billion. The government of
India through its concerted efforts has introduced multiple reforms to make India
self-reliant in defence manufacturing and technology. However, to provide for national
security in the 21st century, technological excellence must become an integral
characteristic of India’s military advantage.

28
6.4.1 Current Challenges
Presently, the technology-led growth of the Indian defence ecosystem is challenged
by few issues, as detailed out below:

i. Border Management Limitations:

India has over 15,000 km of international borders with seven countries running through
diverse terrain including deserts, marshes, plains, and mountains, which may facilitate
various illegal activities. Limitations in border management are furthered by a lack of
critical infrastructure like observation towers, bunkers, border flood lights, etc which
hinders the deployment of hi-tech equipment.

ii. Information and Intelligence Asymmetry

There is a need for real-time intelligence collection, analysis, and appraisal, which
needs to be technology-enabled to be real-time given India’s multi-agency defence
system. To ensure quick decisions in critical security-related matters, it is necessary to
introduce technological interventions to cut down unnecessary delays.

To address these challenges, robotic automation in the defence sector may be an

integral step toward securing India’s national security objectives.

6.4.2 Potential Use Cases of Robots for National Security

i. Mine Detection UGVs:
Minefield breaching has traditionally relied on manual practices, procedures, and
drills, which are slow and labour-intensive. In the Indian context, the existing system
that is being used to carry out minefield breaching is that of trawl tanks. These trawl
tanks move in tandem into the minefields and blast the mines when the rollers travel
over them. These tanks are redundant over anti-tank mines. There is a lot of delay and
effort involved in replacing such trawl tanks which are damaged by such mines during
breaching.

Mine detection UGVs, as demonstrated by India’s own “Sapper Scout” UGV, are
capable of detecting mines and marking mines using an illuminating spray. The UGV
has a tracked platform enabling it to move cross-country on all kinds of terrain.
Models also consist of a 5-axis robotic arm for cutting the trip wires of fragmentation
mines. The UGV has 3 different cameras – one for accessing the detected mine, the
second for the mobility of the UGV, and the third for a 360-degree recce of the
environment.

ii. Surveillance Robots:

AI-based surveillance robots are being developed by countries like South Korea and
Israel for manning border fences. There is a need to utilise robots and AI for covering
gaps in Anti Infiltration Obstacle Systems (AIOS) as well as perimeters of units and
installations to create deterrence and enhance the surveillance grid.

29
 India’s Defence Research and Development organisation is developing “Silent Sentry”,
a fully 3D-printed rail-mounted robot that slides on a rail that can be installed on
fences and AIOS. The robot can be controlled from computers/tablets and Android
applications as well as function autonomously within set limits. The robot enables
AI-based object detection, autonomous and full-time patrolling, and automatic
intrusion detection.

iii. Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are highly advantageous inspection tools due to
their ability to access confined and perilous areas, expedite underwater field
inspections, and enhance overall productivity. ROVs play a pivotal role in bomb
disposal operations by mitigating human involvement and minimizing potential
casualties. They also hold significant importance in counter-insurgency efforts,
providing advanced area mapping through their onboard cameras. Moreover, ROVs
can be utilized for hostage rescue missions, furnishing critical intelligence on hostile
elements and possessing the capability to discharge ammunition.

30
 7 STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS

To enable India’s emergence as a global leader in the development and adoption of

robotics, a comprehensive, coherent, and efficient deployment of the National Strategy
on Robotics may be undertaken as the ‘National Robotics Mission’. In the implementation
of this mission, a whole ecosystem approach is to be adopted while building strong
linkages with industry, academia, and startups, to drive economic growth and a better
quality of life through robotics.

The National Robotics Mission is poised to be an integral part of India’s overall vision for
India AI and will help India position itself as an early leader in the field of intelligent
cyber-physical systems. It is aligned with India's overall AI vision of promoting the
adoption and development of AI-enabled technologies across various sectors, such as
healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and national security.

7.1 Institutional Framework

To ensure streamlined implementation of the National Strategy on Robotics through a
whole of ecosystem approach, an agile and highly responsive institutional framework is
proposed. The proposed framework will aim to nurture the dynamic robotics startup,
research, and innovation ecosystem in India by building synergies with the industry,
innovators, and other pertinent stakeholders.

7.1.1 Robotics Innovation Unit:

The Robotics Innovation Unit (RIU) will be an independent agency institutionalized
under the Ministry of Electronics and IT as a part of India AI, to lead the implementation
of the National Strategy on Robotics. RIU will aim to create a robotics ecosystem that
fosters innovation, supports technology development, and drives adoption by
engaging the industry, MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes,
academia, and government organizations. It will facilitate the creation of domestic
capabilities across the robotics value chain through funding and other institutional
support. The RIU will have a specialized team of technical experts, innovation
specialists, etc. to undertake implementation.

Support Discovery Accelerate Growth Enable Technology Diffusion

• Identify priority use cases & • Build the Indian robotics R&D • Create domestic and global
business processes for robotic ecosystem to support market access mechanism
automation breakthrough technological • Nurture favourable operational
• Setting up and managing the RIU development environment to drive adoption of
network in the form of Partner • Nurture the domestic startup and robots
Incubators etc. innovation ecosystem through • Undertake capacity building
• Build linkages between demand fiscal and non-fiscal support interventions across the robotic
units and innovators • Strengthen the Indian supply innovation lifecycle
• Ensure convergence in efforts chain for robots
with initiatives under India Al

31
 A governance mechanism may be envisaged to oversee the overall implementation
and provide strategic direction aligned with the National Strategy for Robotics.

7.2 Building the Indian Robotics Ecosystem- Recommendations

To ensure the creation of domestic capabilities and capacity across the innovation
lifecycle of robotic technology, a four-pillar approach is adopted. To achieve its
objectives, the Robotics Innovation Unit may undertake the implementation of the
proposed interventions in collaboration with relevant line ministries/departments.

Commercializati
Demonstration onof Innovation Adoption and
R&D & Supply Chain
& Testing Awareness
Development

7.2.1 Research and Development:

To build the foundation of the Indian robotics ecosystem a robust R&D ecosystem
needs to be nurtured. Continuous engagement with public and private sector
demand aggregators should be ensured, to source potential topics, and problem
statements/project definitions to align funding and research priorities as well as
establish stakeholder buy-in. This will ensure the alignment of research priorities with
ecosystem requirements and technological developments

Potential programmatic interventions that may be leveraged for this objective include:

i. Centers of Excellence in Robotics:

• Strategic Orientation: A network of Centers of Excellences (CoEs), both new and
existing, may be established to undertake both foundational and applied research
and development in robotics. The CoEs undertaking foundational research may
aim to create new knowledge and nurture technical expertise to prepare India for
the next generation of robotic technologies. Application-based research may be
undertaken by CoEs through private sector intervention to solve for applications in
priority sectors and support experimental prototyping, as well as small-volume
production (for the initial phase of commercialization).

• Operational Model: A consortium of new/existing Centers of Excellence in robotics

at select locations may be funded to strengthen research and development in
robotics in India. The triple helix model of innovation may be adopted to capitalize
on the specific expertise of the industry, government and academia. Academia
may contribute by generating new knowledge and nurturing technical expertise,
the industry may enable market orientation and resources for implementation,
while the government would provide the underlying supporting mechanisms to
enable collaboration through resources, policies, supply of research
priorities/problem statements. This reciprocal relationship will enable
interdisciplinary collaborations for technological advancements in robotics,
market access, and sustainable economic development. The COEs established

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 should operate in a hub and spoke model with a new/existing COE which will
converge efforts of other centers in robotics, AI, and cyber physical systems to
enable knowledge transfer, aggregate resources and accelerate innovation in the
Indian robotics industry. With state-of-the-art shared infrastructure, the COEs
would provide access to prototyping equipment, labs, experiential centers,
demonstration and testing facilities, and other robotic resources. Additionally,
given the interdisciplinary nature of robotics, a network of experts from across
academia and industry both domestically and internationally may be facilitated to
mobilise complementary expertise from traditionally distinct domains to address
ecosystem requirements.

• Research Priorities: To accelerate research around India’s national priorities,

research grants would be given to projects aligned with the below-mentioned
research priorities:
◦ Build and design indigenous hardware and software components of industrial and
service robots for use cases of national importance.
◦ Re-envision architectures and design realizations to improve robot functionality
like perception, vision, locomotion, planning, control, etc
◦ Build Robots that safely operate alongside human beings by reenvisioning
autonomy, adaptability, and evolution in intelligence.

ii. Moonshot Projects:

To achieve leadership in Robotic automation, India must undertake ambitious and
groundbreaking exploratory research through mission mode ‘moonshot projects’. These
projects must aim to push the robotic technology frontier through convergence with
Artificial Intelligence to enable large-scale social transformation. They must not be mere
extensions of existing research but futuristic ideas that meet the currently unfulfilled
needs of users or a disruptive technological trend/scientific area that offers the potential
to address critical and practical problems in innovative ways. The research ambitions of
the ‘moonshot projects’ must aim to attract top global talent across disciplines such as
engineering, design, law, industry, startups, etc. to collaboratively solve complex
problem statements.

COEs identified as a part of the hub and spoke model may propose Moonshot projects
which may be structured with well-defined timelines and funding mechanisms,
implemented through a portfolio approach.

iii. Higher Education and Research:

Robotics cuts across engineering disciplines like mechanical, electronics, and
communications and requires specialized knowledge and training. Therefore, dedicated
engineering degrees in robotics are required for undergraduate, postgraduate, and
doctorate programs across all higher education institutions. To keep pace with rapid
technological advancements in robotics and nurture interdisciplinary collaboration for
robotic innovation, the design ecosystem in India must also be strengthened. To support
this, curricula of 'Industrial Design' and 'Product Design' in undergraduate and
postgraduate courses may include core or elective courses in robotics as well as

33
dedicated postgraduate degrees in robotics design may also be introduced in national
design institutes across the country. The Centers of Excellence may also facilitate the
training of researchers through Fellowships in collaboration with industry and academic
partners both domestically and internationally.

7.2.2 Demonstration and Testing:

Given the capital-intensive nature of robotics automation, organisations, especially
MSMEs are often risk-averse to adopting such technologies. To solve this bottleneck,
demonstration/field verification are necessary to validate product reliability.
Collaborations with major demand units may be facilitated to jointly develop and
undertake demonstrations, provide test platforms, and officially promote applications
based on field verification and demonstration results

Potential policy and programmatic interventions that may be leveraged for this
objective include:

i. Demonstration Centres:
Demonstration centers may be established to serve as platforms for industry,
academia, and the public to experience the latest developments in robotics and
explore their potential applications. These centers will enable an interactive
experience where visitors can control and operate various robots. This experiential
learning will be pivotal to nurture trust in robotic technology for investors, industry and
the public at large, enabling large scale adoption of robots. It will also allow
researchers and innovators to validate novel innovation and use cases in real life
scenarios to further refine their innovation. The existing infrastructure of Atal
Incubation Centres and Robotics COEs co-located in various colleges / educational
institutes across India may be leveraged for demonstration facilities. Additional
investments may be made to further build infrastructure facilities for demonstration
and testing.

ii. Robotics Innovation Testbeds:

As robotics continues to expand to more application domains, theoretical research is
often not adequately translating to large scale application deployments. To address
this bottleneck, testbeds are utilised in the development and deployment stage of a
technology which includes Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-7. The testbed may
support innovators with funding, access to physical and virtual infrastructure,
knowledge dissemination and capacity building, and partnership support. This policy
instrument is uniquely positioned to enable the development of new or improved
products and services, evidence-based formulation/amendment of regulations, and
market access by building product reliability. The testbeds may also be utilised as
remote access shared infrastructure. The proposed testbeds can be co-located with
existing testbeds established for 5G use cases.

iii. Regulatory Sandboxes:

These are policy instruments that facilitate live testing of breakthrough innovations in

34
a controlled market-like environment, often under relaxed regulatory conditions. The
regulatory sandbox allows the testing of novel technologies and methods in a real-life
situation with the involvement of the innovator, the customers, and the regulators.
Given the ethical constraints of robotic technology and the limited standards and
regulations in India presently, the sandbox will provide evidence for the government to
formulate and redesign regulations and policies and ensure alignment with industry
needs and technological developments.

iv. Standards and Certification:

Establishing standards for robotic technologies contextualised to the domestic
ecosystem requirements is imperative to ensure that robotics products and services
meet certain quality and reliability benchmarks, work seamlessly with other products
and services, as well address security and privacy risks. Additionally, conformity
assessment infrastructure may be augmented to provide domestic and global
market recognition to indigenous robotic technology and ensure alignment with
global standards and regulations. Indian standard setting bodies would also be
encouraged to collaborate with global counterparts to ensure global recognition of
indigenous products and enable market access.

7.2.3 Commercialisation of Innovation and Supply Chain Development:

Given the high costs and entry barriers associated with the robotics industry, product
commercialisation support through various funding channels is required to enable
market entry. Moreover, to scale production for domestic and global markets, targeted
investments are required to localise the robotics supply chain and increase domestic
value addition.

Potential policy and programmatic interventions that may be leveraged for this
objective include:

i. Funding Innovation
• Pilot Programmes: Funding support may be extending for running a pilot program
to develop localized technologies for industrial and service robots, and related
components and software for large-scale, specialized and emerging applications.
Problem statements sourced from public and private sector demand units may be
utilised for creating sector specific use cases through a Challenge method or
Hackathons. Innovative solutions for India-centric applications of economically
viable but high performing robots must be identified. A focus on enhancing the
quality and productivity of robotic products and processes and enabling the
reduction of product and process costs may be prioritised.

• Alternative Funding: Given the resource intensive nature of developing and scaling
robotic innovation, it is pertinent that suitable funding mechanisms be modelled to
aggregate resources and support novel robotic technology. Feasibility of other
innovative funding mechanisms such as fund of funds, industry mentorship
programs, etc may be explored for commercialising robotic technology and
nurturing the startup ecosystem.

35
 ii. Startup Advisory Support
Institutional support may be extended to nurture the start-up ecosystem, providing
support for the entire range of value added IPR support services like sensitization,
protection, and compliance of generated IPs. Additional support through market
access, partnerships, mentorship, etc. may also be provided.

iii. Development of Robotics Industrial Zones

Investment in developing industrial infrastructure will be critical in addressing the cost
of disabilities associated with manufacturing robotics and its limited adoption in the
country. Cluster-based agglomeration supports regional economic growth and
integrated Robotics Manufacturing Zones could therefore be established in proximity
to end-user industries. Subsidizing critical infrastructure and investing in integrated
production facilities will improve accessibility, augment product reliability and support
the integration of MSMEs and startups in the robotics supply chain. Therefore, land and
other utilities may be provided to robotics manufacturers across the supply chain at a
subsidized cost through Plug and Play facilities and Common Facility Centres to
ensure better productivity, innovation, and participation.

iv. Fiscal Incentives and Policy Measures

Multiple incentive and policy measures are proposed to accelerate manufacturing of
robots in India and enable integration with global value chains.

• Production incentives: To position India as the manufacturing hub for robots,

design led manufacturing may be incentivized to accelerate production of robots
and robot accessories. In line with the existing design-linked, production-linked or
capex-linked schemes of the Government of India, suitable incentive mechanism
may be formulated to offset ecosystem costs and high capex requirements of the
robotics industry. These incentives will aim to build a globally competitive
manufacturing ecosystem for robots in India by supporting the domestic industry,
increasing value addition and attracting global value chains.

• Trade Incentives: To enable Indian robots to be globally competitive,

export-oriented incentives may also be considered. Additionally, duty structures
may be rationalized to promote indigenous manufacturing of robots, its
assemblies / sub-assemblies, and parts / sub-parts / inputs of the sub-assemblies
and accessories. A roadmap may be prepared in consultation with industry to
analyse the tariff structures for robots and build a tariff schedule to progressively
increase economies of scale and value addition in India. This will ensure policy
stability and thereby support planning considerations for manufacturers in India.

• Ease of Doing Business measures: A conducive business regulatory environment is

critical to promote the manufacturing of robots in India. Ease of doing business
policy measures such as a single window system for facilitating all licenses and
clearances for robot manufacturing in India would further attract investments and
increase domestic value addition.

36
v. Technical Training
The growing applications for robotic devices and systems beget the wide range of
knowledge and skills that robotics professionals require. It is critical to identify and
promote job opportunities in emerging fields of robotics which can potentially absorb
a significant portion of the workforce that may be displaced due to the rise of
automation. Additionally, upskilling and reskilling initiatives are essential for the
advancement of the Indian robotics industry which faces a shortage of technicians
with specialized training in foundational skills, including the repair and maintenance of
robots. National Occupation Standards and Qualification Packs, validated by the
industry and aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework, may be
established by the Sector Skill Council for identified job roles in the robotics industry.
Workers may be incentivised through subsidised training/certification and
apprenticeship programs for the identified job roles to impart technical as well as
regulatory qualifications. This may be curated in partnership with industry to facilitate
experiential learning and facilitated through ITIs/Polytechnics/other
government/private-funded training infrastructure. Given the interdisciplinary
specialization required, infrastructure upgradation of these institutions would also be
needed to ensure effective practical training.

7.2.4 Adoption and Awareness

To support the proliferation and penetration of robotic technology, targeted
demand-side interventions may be introduced. Information dissemination strategies
may also be curated to increase technology awareness across demographics and
augment the adoption of robots. Potential policy and programmatic interventions that
may be leveraged for this objective include:

i. Market Expansion Levers:

For the growth and sustainability of the Indian robotics ecosystem, it is important to
identify and create new market opportunities. Market expansion mechanisms may
also serve to encourage competition to improve product quality and augment
accessibility to robotic automation across the country. These measures can help
address market failures, foster innovation, and promote economic growth and
development.

• Public Procurement: Through a Public Procurement Policy for Robotics, the

Government of India can also position itself as a demand aggregator and build
public trust in robotic systems manufactured in India. The policy will aim to
incentivize domestic production over mere import or assembly of products by
enabling purchase preference for suppliers who meet the minimum local content
requirement. Procurement of robots will be standardised for all Central Ministries/
Departments / Agencies and will be governed through this Policy.

• Technology Adoption Plan: A Technology Adoption Plan may be formulated to

identify use cases across priority sectors that have the potential of being
automated through robotics by 2030. A series of workshops may be organised by
different line ministries/departments to identify concrete use cases and evolve

37
 sector-specific strategies and milestones. This will have direct economic benefits
by enabling market creation for priority use cases and spillover effects of
increasing adoption of robots through widespread access.

• Robot Utilization Plan: A Robot Utilization Plan may be formulated to enable

aggregation of demand and diffusion of robotic technologies for selected
industries. Through collaboration with industry partners and the Robotics COE’s
detailed above, models for utilization of robots for selected business processes
may be undertaken. These processes may be identified on the basis of multiple
parameters including risky/unsafe (prone to industrial accident) working
environments, low productivity, clean manufacturing, insufficient manpower etc. To
support the uptake of robotic technologies for the identified business processes as
per the Robot Utilization Plan, demonstration centers can also be utilised.
Additionally, the RIU in consultation with industry associations and System
Integrators may also provide advisory support to startups and enterprises on
process analysis, designing the process of automation, improvement of
production technology, management assistance in the introduction of robots etc.

• Financial Incentives: To support the implementation of the Technology Adoption

Plan and the Robot Utilization Plan, organisations could be provided financial
assistance for the adoption of robotic technology. In sectors of strategic and social
importance- lease or rental assistance could also be extended to the end user to
improve accessibility and adoption of robots. Further, subsidies and exemptions in
certification costs for early stage-startups and MSMEs may also be extended. These
benefits may be facilitated through existing technology upgradation schemes by
prioritizing the adoption of robotic technology for automation.

• International Immersion Programs: Indian robotic innovation should be globalized

by enabling cross-fertilization of ideas with matured markets. Targeted programs
may be institutionalised to help Indian start-ups and MSMEs access new markets,
build global networks and collaborate with other robotics startups/MSMEs
internationally. These programs may facilitate visits to other countries where
start-ups and MSMEs can meet with potential partners and customers. Institutional
support may be provided for Indian robotics start-ups and MSMEs, such as market
analysis and business intelligence data.

ii. Governance Mechanisms:

Establishing guidelines and requirements for the security, privacy, and liability
assessment and assignment for robotic technologies is also pertinent to augment the
adoption of robotics. This could involve requirements for data encryption, secure
authentication, secure data storage, as well as compliance with all relevant legislation
and policies. A framework for the ethical use of robotics systems and Robotic Process
Automation (RPA) may also be developed to preserve the rights of individuals. The
framework should ensure that the use of robotics systems and RPA is fair and
transparent and that all stakeholders are aware of how these technologies are being
used and how they may be impacted. Additionally, governance mechanisms must

38
also be established to address the social implications of the widespread adoption of
robotics, including measures to mitigate job losses, re-skill workers, and address any
potential societal disruptions. Both outcome-based and risk-based regulation may be
adopted for the governance of robotics technology depending on the specific
technology, its potential risks, and the desired outcomes. Governance mechanisms
must be designed to be flexible enough to adapt to the expanding capabilities of
robots, new use cases, and novel forms of human-robot interaction while also
incorporating robust consumer protection frameworks.

iii. Awareness and Capacity Building

• Capacity Building: Given the rapid advancements in automation, it is pertinent to
insulate our workforce to potential technological disruptions and nurture robotic
innovation in India. Supplementing the STEM curricula of schools with coursework
on robotics, automation, and mechatronics will be essential to build a foundational
understanding of the technology. To enable this, the infrastructure and network of
existing schemes such as Atal Innovation Mission and the Department of School,
Education & Literacy’s Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan may be leveraged to train and
mentor interested students to design and develop projects using robotic
technology related to their coursework. Schools and colleges may organize
robotics competitions providing recognition and rewards to encourage students to
learn robotics and apply their skills in a competitive setting. It is also important to
provide teachers with the necessary training and resources to be able to effectively
incorporate robotics into their classrooms. This may include leveraging ongoing
initiatives for digital skilling such as FutureSkills Prime.

• Showcase and Exhibitions: Promotion of breakthrough technologies developed in

India and building awareness through experiential learning with annual
international showcases/exhibitions may be undertaken. This would also provide a
platform for roboticists in research and industry globally to debate and discuss
technical challenges and technological development. Marketing assistance
incentives can also be extended to MSMEs and startups for participation in such
international exhibitions and trade fairs.

iv. Network Connectivity:

Investments in communication infrastructure development and access to low latency
cellular technologies are essential for the mass adoption of robotics. Continued
connectivity enables robots to exchange information needed in collaborative tasks,
and allows monitoring or manual control by operators. For example, 5G can enable
robots to communicate with each other and with other devices more reliably and with
lower latency, which can improve the performance of robotics systems. 5G networks
are much faster than previous generations of cellular networks, which can be
beneficial for robotics applications that require large amounts of data to be
transmitted quickly. It can enable robots to transmit high-resolution video streams
and other data-intensive applications.

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 CONCLUSION 8
Global market driving forces have pushed companies to restructure business models to
prioritise both cost efficiencies and supply chain security, as evidenced by the increased
adoption of automation. Capitalizing on the potential of this technology, globally, both
the government and private sector are investing in robotic automation systems to
augment economic productivity and catalyse social transformation.

The National Strategy for Robotics is, therefore, an important foundational step as part of
the government of India’s overall AI strategy to keep pace with technological
development, mitigating risks and devising a strategic plan to actualise the potential of
this technology. It is an imperative step for the development and diffusion of robotics
and intelligent cyber-physical systems in India to establish global recognition in robotics
across the manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and national security sectors.

The strategy assesses the long-standing challenges faced by critical sectors of our
economy and highlights the potential of robotic automation in addressing these
impediments. Strategic interventions have been identified to address the key deterrents
to robotics innovation in India today and enable the utilisation of this technology for
achieving sustainable development and large-scale social transformation. It focuses on
strengthening all pillars in the innovation cycle of robotic technology, while also
providing a robust institutional framework for ensuring the effective implementation of
these interventions. A whole-of-ecosystem approach is adopted to ensure the
engagement of all relevant stakeholders to drive innovation, development, deployment,
and adoption of robotic technology in India.

Overall, the strategy aims to bring about a paradigm shift in the field of Robotics for India
and enable the country to become a global leader in the research, design, development,
and manufacturing of robotics. The Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) will work with
various Government organizations and other stakeholders in implementing this strategy
and maximising the transformation potential of Robotics for India.

The National Strategy for Robotics is an evolving document and may be revised in the
future to ensure alignment with market conditions.

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