India Automation & Robotics Expo 2024 Highlights Humanoid Innovations - RobotWale News

India Automation & Robotics Expo 2024 Highlights Humanoid Innovations

NEW DELHI — The India Automation & Robotics Expo (IARE) 2024 concluded this week at the Noida International Exhibition and Convention Centre (NIECC), drawing over 5,000 attendees from the manufacturing and technology sectors. The event served as a premier platform for showcasing indigenous robotic solutions, with a significant focus on humanoid robotics and advanced automation systems.

Organized by the Robotics and Automation Association of India (RAAI), the expo featured over 150 exhibitors from 12 countries. The primary objective was to bridge the gap between emerging robotic technologies and India's manufacturing sector, specifically targeting the automotive and electronics industries.

Aakash Robotics Unveils Aakash-1

Among the standout launches, Pune-based Aakash Robotics revealed its prototype humanoid robot, the Aakash-1. Designed for warehouse automation and light industrial tasks, the robot features 14 degrees of freedom and a load capacity of 20 kilograms. The launch was timed to coincide with the Indian government's push for 'Make in India' manufacturing initiatives.

During the demo, the Aakash-1 successfully navigated a simulated warehouse environment, picking up boxes and placing them on designated shelves with 95% accuracy. The robot utilizes a combination of computer vision and LiDAR sensors for obstacle avoidance, ensuring safety in shared workspaces.

Pricing and Local Manufacturing

The Aakash-1 is priced at ₹18 lakhs, a figure significantly lower than competing imported models which often exceed ₹40 lakhs. Aakash Robotics plans to assemble units in its Chennai facility, aiming for a production capacity of 100 units per month by early 2025. This pricing strategy aims to make automation accessible to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across India.

Industry analysts note that the expo highlighted a shift from software-based AI solutions to hardware-integrated robotics. Several exhibitors also demonstrated collaborative robots (cobots) tailored for the automotive and textile sectors, reinforcing India's growing role in the global robotics supply chain.

Dr. Aravind Kumar, CEO of Aakash Robotics, stated, "Our goal is to democratize access to robotics. By keeping costs down and ensuring local service support, we are positioning India to become a hub for affordable humanoid automation within the next five years."

Experts also highlighted the expo's focus on workforce upskilling. A dedicated robotics training zone allowed participants to interact with the machines, fostering a deeper understanding of AI integration in physical workflows. The event concluded with a roadmap announcement for setting up three regional robotics innovation centers across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.