How can employers prepare for the introduction of robots at work?
Robots are set to become a more common fixture in workplaces worldwide as employers seek to close their workforce gaps with advancing technology, according to a new forecast from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
The IFR said one of the top five global robotics trends this year will be robots becoming "allies" in tackling labour gaps, especially as employers worldwide struggle to find specialised skills.
"The benefits that robots deliver, such as tackling labour shortages, taking away routine tasks, or opening up new career opportunities, mean that they will be accepted as allies in the workplace," the IFR said in its forecast.
"At the same time, robots are a way to make a workplace much more attractive to young people."
The global market value of industrial robot installations has reached an all-time high of US$16.7 billion, according to the IFR, amid the growing adoption of robots in workplaces, such as in the automotive industry, warehousing, and manufacturing.
Last year, Amazon deployed its one millionth robot to a fulfilment centre in Japan. The e-commerce giant also introduced a brand-new robot with a sense of touch and speeds comparable to the company's frontline employees.
IFR data revealed that there were 542,000 robots installed globally in 2024, more than double the number 10 years ago.
"The transition of many industries into the digital and automated age has been marked by a huge surge in demand," said Takayuki Ito, president of the IFR, in a statement last year.
"The total number of industrial robots in operational use worldwide was 4,664,000 units in 2024 – an increase of nine per cent compared to the previous year."
Robot adoption in workplaces
The adoption of robots in workplaces is touted as a solution to ease the workload of human employees, who are suffering from rising stress and fatigue as they cover extra shifts due to unfilled jobs.
But there are also concerns that robotics may replace employees in the workplace, especially as the application of humanoid robots expands.
According to the IFR, employers will benefit by taking their human workforce on board with the transformation process.
"The close cooperation with employees in implementing robots plays a crucial role to ensure acceptance – both in industrial manufacturing settings as well as in the manifold service applications," it said.
