India’s commitment to advancing robotics and AI is evident in its strategic initiatives aimed at transforming key economic sectors and realizing the potential of Industry 4.0. The Government of India has recognized the pivotal role robotics can play in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, defense, and manufacturing, and has established several research and development centers to foster innovation in this field.
Below are some of the key centers contributing to this mission.
1. ARTPARK – Technology Innovation Hub under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS)
The Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) is a significant step toward revolutionizing the Indian robotics landscape. Established at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, ARTPARK is a public-private collaborative consortium with seed funding of INR 230 crore (approximately $30 million). Its primary focus is leveraging AI and robotics to address challenges unique to India. ARTPARK is dedicated to executing ambitious mission-mode R&D projects across sectors such as healthcare, education, mobility, infrastructure, agriculture, retail, and cyber-security, ensuring that innovations have a tangible societal impact.
2. Center for Advanced Manufacturing for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CAMRAS)
To reduce India’s reliance on imported robotics and autonomous systems, ARTPARK-IISc is setting up the Center for Advanced Manufacturing for Robotics and Autonomous Systems (CAMRAS). This industry accelerator, approved by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), will focus on technology development in robotics and autonomous systems. CAMRAS aims to foster innovation in areas such as advanced cargo drones, robotic actuators, legged robots, autonomous systems charging, and intelligent controllers. Additionally, it will spearhead a skilling program aimed at training 2,800 professionals in next-generation advanced manufacturing for robotics and autonomous technologies by 2025.
3. I-HUB Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC) – IIT Delhi
The I-HUB Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC) at IIT Delhi is another pivotal initiative under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). With a sanctioned fund of INR 170 crores, IHFC serves as a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) for Cobotics, focusing on collaborative robotics. Since its establishment in 2020, IHFC has been instrumental in launching grand projects across various domains, including medical simulators, healthcare robotics, rehabilitation robotics, drone applications, human-robot interaction (HRI) intelligence and control, Industry 4.0, and intelligent and secured communication. These projects aim to drive research and product development, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of global robotics innovation.
4. Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been a pioneer in robotics and AI research in India, with several of its laboratories dedicated to advancing these technologies. Key among these is the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), which focuses on autonomous navigation, computer vision processing, and artificial intelligence to develop autonomous robotic and unmanned systems. Additionally, the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) (R&DE(E)) is involved in creating robotic platforms for defense applications, while the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) and Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) focus on developing unmanned tracked and wheeled vehicles. These efforts underscore DRDO’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge robotics into India’s defense infrastructure.
Conclusion
India’s strategic focus on robotics and AI through initiatives like ARTPARK, CAMRAS, IHFC, and DRDO’s various labs is laying the groundwork for significant advancements in these fields. These centers are not only fostering innovation but also addressing the unique challenges faced by the country, ensuring that India emerges as a global leader in robotics and AI. As these R&D centers continue to evolve, they will play a crucial role in driving the nation’s Industry 4.0 ambitions, creating a robust and self-reliant ecosystem for robotics and autonomous systems.
