India is the world’s fifth largest economy, measured by manufacturing output, according to World Bank data. India's manufacturing value added in 2021 was almost $444 billion, a 21.6% increase from the previous year.
Manufacturing growth means increased automation, and, no matter what language you speak, that translates into robotic applications.
Sales of industrial robots in India reached a new record of 4,945 units installed, which is an increase of 54% when compared to 3,215 units in 2020. India ranks 10th globally in annual installations, according to the World Robotics report, presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).
“India is one of the world's fastest-growing industrial economies,” says Marina Bill, IFR president. “Within five years, the operational stock of industrial robots has more than doubled, to reach 33,220 units in 2021. This corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 16% since 2016.”
The automotive industry remains the largest customer for the robotics industry in India with a share of 31%. Installations more than doubled to 1,547 units—more than a 100% increase. The general industry in India is led by the metal industry with 308 units, rubber and plastics industry with 246 units and electrical/electronics industry with 215 units.
India’s long-term robotic potential gains clarity when it’s compared to China’s robot density: In India´s automotive industry, the number of industrial robots per 10,000 employees reached 148 in 2021. China´s robot density hit 131 units in 2010 and skyrocketed to 772 units in 2021. If India follows a similar arc, that could mean explosive growth of robots, as well as manufacturing cells and machinery that interact with robots.
The Indian government supports growth in the industrial sector as one of the vital figures that affect the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which is more than $3 trillion, making it one of the world’s seventh largest, along with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, China and the United States, according to the International Monetary Fund.
“As a result of the recent supply-chain disruption, companies are rethinking their nearshoring strategies in southeast Asia,” says IFR’s Bill. “India has traditionally been a popular destination for nearshoring in the manufacturing segment. The Indian government wants the country to be considered for new diversification options such as ‘friendshoring,’ which is partnering with countries that share similar values and interests.”
The manufacturing sector is expected to benefit from the government's initiatives to boost its competitiveness and attractiveness for investors. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, for example, currently set to run until 2025, subsidizes companies that create production capacity in India in robot customer industries such as automotive, metal, pharmaceuticals and food processing.
