Article: The new role of robotics in industry. A step toward the future of automation and sustainability

Understanding the future path of industry requires first looking back and asking a fundamental question: What would the industrial landscape be like without the advent of robotics? The answer underscores the profound and transformative impact robotics has had since its commercial introduction in the latter half of the 20th century, coinciding with an era of unprecedented economic growth.

From its inception, robotics has been a driving force in productivity, resource optimization, and technological innovation—three pillars that have fueled all industrial revolutions. These factors have made robotics a direct multiplier of global GDP. Countries such as the United States, Japan, and Germany, early adopters of robotics, witnessed substantial economic growth, with robotics contributing an estimated 10% to 15% of GDP growth by the end of the 20th century.

This history prompts a new question: What has transpired in the early years of the 21st century? While there is no clear-cut dividing line, we can see a natural evolution of the transformative role of robotics as it expands into new sectors and applications. Beyond manufacturing, robotics has found a place in industries like space exploration, agriculture, medicine, and logistics, creating unprecedented value. It has diversified into fields such as collaborative, service, humanoid, medical, exploratory, defense, modular, nano, mobile robotics, and more.

A key turning point in this new era is the rise of Industry 4.0, a phenomenon that has accelerated both the development and integration of robotics with other advanced technologies. IoT (Internet of Things) sensors and communication systems now enable robots to collect and process vast amounts of real-time data. Additive manufacturing enables the creation of specific parts, which robots handle with millimeter precision. Robotics has also been integrated into advanced communication networks, leveraging cloud computing and 5G for concepts like cloud robotics, where computation takes place in the cloud, optimizing resources and minimizing the need for physical infrastructure.

However, progress doesn’t stop there. The interaction between robots and emerging technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality has introduced new forms of collaboration and efficiency in industrial processes. This convergence of innovations is paving the way for a paradigm in which total autonomy in the production chain—once a distant dream—is now becoming a reality.

We stand on the cusp of a new era, where robotics will form a critical alliance with artificial intelligence (AI). This synergy promises to be one of the most significant technological leaps in history. AI is empowering robots with the ability to adapt to dynamic environments and learn from them, enabling increasingly personalized and sophisticated interactions. As robotics continues to evolve, it will become more accessible and valuable, particularly in a world where sustainability and environmental consciousness are taking on greater importance.

Artificial intelligence as the catalyst for a robotic future

Artificial intelligence has become the driving force behind the rapid evolution of robotics. Today, robots are capable of operating in complex, unstructured environments and performing tasks that were once beyond imagination. Projects like ASUMO (Advanced SUbstation MOnitoring), led by Elewit and Red Eléctrica, showcase how robotics, powered by AI and advanced solutions like uPathWay, can autonomously inspect electrical substations, handling tasks ranging from reading analog indicators to detecting oil leaks.

The impact of AI extends beyond enhancing the physical abilities of robots. It is also paving the way for breakthroughs in autonomous decision-making and problem-solving. In this new era, robots don’t just execute tasks—they make decisions based on real-time data and analysis. The integration of technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and data analytics allows the increasingly complex “brains” of these robots to reside in the cloud, reducing latency and maintenance while optimizing processing power and payload capacity.

In this context, solutions like uPathWay are becoming essential for industries that require precision and efficiency in managing robots and autonomous vehicles for tasks such as logistics, inspection, maintenance, transportation, and security. This level of autonomy and intelligence is crucial in applications where human intervention is impractical or even impossible, yet it continues to add value in other areas. As a result, AI not only enhances robotic capabilities but also redefines the role and potential of robots within society and industry.

The impact of robotics on society

As robotics becomes more deeply integrated into society, it is inevitable that its presence will radically transform our world. The widespread use of intelligent robots in everyday life will significantly change how we interact with technology, blurring the boundaries between human and machine capabilities. This transformation will be seen across many aspects of life, from automated transportation and smart homes to healthcare and personalized education.

A tangible example of this shift is the Scoobic MED project: an Autonomous 5G Electric Logistics Vehicle with smart pay-per-use. In collaboration with Passion Motorbike Factory-Scoobic, GMV is developing a last-mile electric vehicle integrated with an autonomous vehicle control system. This innovative project enables logistics companies to move assets autonomously in urban areas, using a pay-per-use cost structure. Not only does this enhance efficiency and sustainability in urban logistics, but it also demonstrates how robotics is reshaping business models in the modern economy.

Economically and in terms of labor, robotics is driving a significant shift in how businesses operate and the types of jobs they require. The adoption of advanced robotics is not only automating tasks but also revolutionizing business models and creating new economic opportunities. However, this shift presents challenges for the workforce, particularly with the displacement of low-skilled jobs or those that pose health risks. At the same time, new job opportunities will emerge in fields that demand advanced skills and the ability to quickly adapt to emerging technologies.

In this context, collaboration between educational institutions and businesses will be vital in shaping the labor market of the future. New roles will focus on the management, engineering, and innovation of robotic solutions, requiring not only technical expertise but also skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability.

The robotic revolution in industry

The manufacturing industry has undergone a radical transformation, driven by the rise of smart factories and the implementation of the Smart Factory concept. This approach, closely tied to the concept of the software-defined factory (SDF), has been a key area of innovation for GMV since 2018. The company has developed solutions like VirtualPAC for the deployment, management, and secure operation of control systems in industrial plants, with the goal of improving processes and addressing issues without the need for maintenance downtime.

These smart factories are not only more productive but are also better equipped to adapt to market changes and consumer demands. The integration of advanced robotics, AI, and IoT is enabling real-time monitoring and optimization of manufacturing processes, resulting in improved quality control, reduced waste, and faster production times, all contributing to more sustainable manufacturing practices.

Collaboration between humans and robots in these factories is another rapidly evolving key aspect. Collaborative robots, or cobots, enhance safety and ergonomics in production environments while enabling more complex and creative processes. For example, Cepsa, with GMV as a technology partner, has implemented collaborative robots in its laboratories, equipped with specialized grippers. These robots have improved employee safety while driving significant gains in efficiency and productivity. Cobots not only automate sample analysis and packaging recycling but also promote circular economy-based production processes.

Furthermore, in partnership with GMV, Repsol has installed a robotic arm at its coke plant specifically designed for the safe opening and closing of reactors, a critical process in the energy sector. These interventions emphasize the importance of additive manufacturing, which allows for the creation of specialized, custom parts and tools to address specific challenges in each industrial setting.

In addition to additive manufacturing and physical safety, cybersecurity plays a critical role in these projects. Cobots are integrated into industrial operational networks, becoming an essential part of the processes. At GMV, efforts focus on securing these systems by incorporating protective measures into the base software and securing the entire process, ensuring safe and efficient operations in highly demanding environments.

Agriculture as an emerging sector in automation

The agricultural sector, confronted with challenges such as climate change, competitiveness, and the need to boost productivity, is increasingly benefiting from robotics. The agricultural robotics market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 17%, reaching $218 billion by 2030 (according to GlobalData's “Robotics in Agriculture” report). From planting and harvesting to pest control and crop monitoring, robots are delivering unprecedented precision and efficiency, helping reduce labor costs and minimize environmental impact.

In this context, GMV is collaborating on the development of autonomous mobile robots aimed at transforming agriculture toward more sustainable practices. These innovations enable more efficient water use, precise pesticide application, and reduced soil compaction.

Additionally, GMV partners with companies in the sector to drive the digital transformation of their logistics processes into interoperable platforms. These initiatives not only enhance operational efficiency but also modernize the agricultural industry, aligning it with the growing demand for sustainability and advanced technology.

Leading robotics innovation for a sustainable future

Throughout this article, we have highlighted several robotics projects in industry that GMV is currently involved in or has participated in, illustrating the company's strategy, which focuses on three main pillars: collaborative robotics, industrial automation, and autonomous mobile robotics. In each of these areas, GMV delivers distinct value by developing innovative solutions and, in many cases, pioneering the design and implementation of market-first technologies.

-Collaborative Robotics: GMV focuses on projects where humans interact with robots or automated machines, especially in situations requiring high precision or complex industrial processes. For these projects, GMV designs and develops custom 3D-printed parts using various materials, adapting them to each project's specific needs and creating tailored, unique solutions.

-Industrial Automation: Specializing in projects where complexity and innovation are essential, GMV works in sectors where extreme conditions—such as high temperatures or heavy asset handling—demand robust and reliable solutions.

-Autonomous Mobile Robotics: GMV is advancing both end products and solutions that seamlessly integrate AI with mobile robotic systems. One notable example of GMV's capabilities in this area is the uPathWay solution. GMV develops technological solutions ranging from autonomous asset inspections using quadruped robots to the autonomous management of material transport, alongside specialized services like sweepers, cleaners, and systems for road cone placement and removal.

In all these areas, GMV positions itself as a value-added integrator, forming partnerships with leading robot manufacturers, training and specializing its workforce, and delivering long-term, differentiated value to its clients.

GMV in space robotics

In the space sector, robotics plays a crucial role in various areas, including planetary exploration and orbital services. Robotics is essential to the emerging IOSAM (In-Orbit Servicing, Manufacturing, and Assembly) sector and to achieving Europe's sustainability goals. In this field, GMV, in partnership with Spanish company AVS, developed the MICE device—an innovative mechanical interface for satellite capture and deorbiting at the end of their life cycle. The MICE device is already in orbit aboard the LUR-1 satellite, and four new Copernicus Earth observation satellites are being equipped with the interface, which has been adopted by the European Space Agency (ESA) as the standard for such missions. Additionally, GMV’s robotic capture technology (CAT), designed for satellites equipped with MICE, is advancing rapidly, with a demonstration mission expected in the near future.

In other IOSAM applications, GMV leads Europe’s latest developments in robotics for automatic assembly, such as the MIRROR robot, which can autonomously move, manipulate, and assemble various types of space structures in orbit. In-orbit refueling will also be a key technology for the future of orbital transport and services. GMV is actively engaged in consolidating ASSIST, a docking and refueling interface, as the first European standard for this purpose.           

In conclusion, robotics is poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in industry—not only in terms of efficiency and productivity but also in promoting sustainability. As robotic technologies continue to advance, it is essential to tackle emerging challenges and seize opportunities to build a prosperous and sustainable industrial future. Focusing on innovation, embracing robotics as a tool that integrates with multiple technologies, and positioning AI as a catalyst for groundbreaking solutions are critical to addressing future challenges. GMV will undoubtedly continue to contribute its expertise and leadership to these transformative projects.

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