The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) is launching a monthly series dedicated to robotics roadmaps adopted by major countries in the sector. Each month, a country will be highlighted with its strategy. This first article, authored by Ellen H. Rumley, a policy analyst, and Allison Okamura, vice president, members of the IEEE RAS Science & Technology Watch committee, sets the framework for this initiative.
According to the authors, machines with predefined capabilities will soon be a thing of the past. Tomorrow’s robots are expected to learn, adapt to the unexpected, and interact with the physical world with an aptitude comparable to that of the human body, a change they link to Industry 4.0.
Modern societies’ dependence on robots, from manufacturing to healthcare, through agriculture and transportation, already gives an idea of the impact recent innovations could have once transferred from the lab to the market. Investment in robotics is a national priority in many countries. The authors describe a global race to advance robots that embody artificial intelligence in the physical world, a technology they say is poised to heavily influence labor markets, immigration, the military, trade, and education.
For researchers, understanding the role of different stakeholders allows them to influence the trajectory of their work. Roboticists can, for example, advise public policymakers on the viability of their field and its potential to transform certain sectors. State support enables academic institutes and industry to advance their technologies, which can also reassure private investors. The authors finally pose a series of questions: what do we want robots to do in ten years, who should be the end user, and what resources are needed to transfer these technologies into the real world?
Roadmaps in Various Forms
Roadmaps are, according to the text, an effective tool for an interdisciplinary community like robotics, as they allow ideas to be gathered and a common trajectory to be defined. Their form depends on the target audience. A federal action plan can serve as a guideline for research institutions while encouraging investors to support a sector, whereas an academic article written by a coalition of experts can guide innovators and foster a shared vision.
Several influential roadmaps have been drafted by academic, industrial, and public actors, often together. The article cites the US National Robotics Roadmap, a bottom-up effort led by academia, which encourages significant public investment in collaborative robots. It also mentions the ADRA Strategic Agenda, driven by industry, which reportedly led to the adoption of a ‘Physical AI’ funding pathway in the European Union, via the Horizon Europe program. Finally, Made in China 2025, a state-led plan including objectives for robotics, is said to have helped move China from low-cost small workshops to a position as a global leader in high technology within a decade.
Mostly National Initiatives
International roadmaps exist, but most remain closely tied to each country. Their priorities reflect the economy, geopolitics, and cultural values. A well-defined strategy can help a country advance in the global value chain, while for another, it can revive the innovation needed for technological sovereignty, an issue considered particularly sensitive at a time when digital transformation can alter global balances.
The announced monthly series will examine the latest information on roadmaps from leading robotics countries. It will address each one’s priorities and strategies, their target audiences and expected outcomes, as well as the influence of geopolitical tensions on their choices. Readers can send their feedback to [email protected].
