25 www.drivesncontrols.com March 2025 ROBOTICS n In the food and beverage sector, cobots are also starting to shine, particularly in the US and Asia. You may already have enjoyed a co ee or a meal where a robot has assisted in the preparation. Cobots designed for hygienic food preparation can maintain consistency and speed during peak periods for businesses. US fast-food chain Chipotle is among those paving the way, already using cobots in its restaurants. As in other industries, cobots are not replacing workers, but are rather improving both productivity and the working environment. Beyond kitchens and lm productions, cobots will also start appearing in industries such as construction. For example, one Californian company, Canvas, is already using cobots to apply nishes to walls. Another US example is Raise Robotics, which is using cobots, among other things, to install fasteners for facade panels on highrise buildings – a dangerous and repetitive task. These examples highlight how these versatile machines can address skill shortages in industries with high variability. 3. Asia’s new automation powerhouse Traditionally, we’re used to seeing Asian powerhouses such as China, Japan and South Korea dominate the global robotics market. But, the coming 12 months will bring signicant shifts in global market dynamics, with India set to play a leading role. The country is investing heavily in automation, supported by proactive government initiatives. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, for example, provides subsidies to companies building production capacity across key industries in India, such as automotive, metal, pharmaceuticals and food processing. India’s automation potential is further boosted by three powerful forces driving world-leading production techniques. Firstly, India boasts a young population, with a median age of 29 compared to Germany’s 45, o ering a dynamic and adaptable workforce. Secondly, the country’s thriving technology industry, valued at $115bn in IT and business process management, provides a strong foundation for innovation. And lastly, strategic government investments in digitisation, industrial automation, and skills development are creating an environment ripe for growth. These e orts, combined with the "Make in India" initiative, highlight the nation’s enormous potential. In just one year, India has risen from 10th to 7th place globally in robot installations, with a huge 59% increase in the number of installed machines. This rapid growth underscores India’s emergence as a critical hub for automation and innovation, driven by strategic policies and robust economic momentum. 4. A novel approach to safety Safety has always been a dening feature of cobots, but as they move into more dynamic and less controlled environments, the traditional approach to safety will need to evolve too. The safety measures taken depend on the specic application and use case, and though cobots are made for close collaboration with humans, you still need extra safety functions if you want the cobot to work to work at high-speed or handle sharp objects, for example. In factories, safety is often managed using fences and strict protocols. However, these methods are impractical in settings where cobots and humans work closely in unpredictable scenarios. The future of safety will focus on adaptive technologies that can respond to variability. For example, real-time sensor data and advanced algorithms will enable cobots to detect and react to human movements instantly, ensuring safety without compromising eciency. This marks a signicant step forward in making collaborative robotics viable for a broad range of applications. 5. Streamlined, ready-to-deploy systems While not a new concept, the importance of standardised turnkey systems will be amplied this year. These simplify the automation journey by being pre-congured, and will become critical for businesses looking to integrate cobots quickly and eciently. Their appeal lies in the ability to eliminate the complexity traditionally associated with automation, such as extensive customisation and lengthy set-up processes. This ease of deployment will make cobots more accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises, enabling them to compete on a larger scale without the high costs of bespoke automation systems. My bold guess is that by the end of 2025, more than one-third of cobots will be part of such standardised systems. Their scalability and cost-e ectiveness will drive widespread adoption across industries, from manufacturing to logistics. As businesses seek practical and a ordable ways to enhance eciency, standardised systems will be a cornerstone of the next phase of automation. A turning point The robotics industry is on the verge of a major transformation. From AI’s maturation to the rise of cobots in everyday and unexpected environments, 2025 represents a pivotal moment for automation. At the same time, we will continue to see innovative robotic applications emerging to address critical global challenges such as skills gaps, supply chain complexities, and the need for greater eciency. Cutting-edge technologies such as physical AI and standardised systems are making automation more accessible and impactful, redening industries as well as everyday life. By harnessing these advances, businesses can unlock the full potential of robotics, paving the way for a future that is safer, more ecient and inherently collaborative. n Raise Robotics is using cobots to install fasteners for building facade panels
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