MeitY releases Draft National Strategy for Robotics – Key Highlights

Pursuant to the India AI Vision, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MeitY”) has recently unveiled its draft National Strategy for Robotics. The primary objective is for India to emerge as a global leader in robotics by 2030, with a particular focus on four key sectors -manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and national security.

The definition of robots, as outlined in the strategy, draws from the Bureau of Indian Standards (“BIS”) for Robots, categorizing them into three distinct types – industrial, service, and medical robots. The document emphasizes the requirement for the establishment of additional technical standards, particularly concerning robot interoperability, privacy and security. Furthermore, it advocates for the licensing of final products to enhance the overall ecosystem, calling for collaboration between Indian and global standard-setting bodies to ensure international recognition.

To facilitate the commercial deployment of robots, the strategy emphasizes rigorous testing and validation processes which includes –

• Regulatory sandboxes for formulation of regulations and policies that align with technological advancements.
• Upskilling personnel involved in robot maintenance and servicing.
• Issuance of licenses to individuals handling robots.
• Addressing social concerns related to job displacement and worker re-skilling is also highlighted.

Ethical considerations are a focal point, with an emphasis on public trust and transparency. Safeguarding privacy and security, coupled with robust redressal mechanisms, are deemed essential for building trust. Additionally, the strategy recognizes inclusivity as a crucial requirement for the deployment of robots.