India Unveils Draft Framework for Humanoid Robot Safety and Deployment - RobotWale News

Government Releases Draft Framework for Humanoid Robot Deployment

New Delhi, 24 May 2024 — The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in coordination with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has released a comprehensive draft framework governing the safety, testing, and commercial deployment of humanoid robots across India. The guidelines, published on 22 May 2024, establish mandatory certification protocols, data localization mandates, and sector-specific operational thresholds for both industrial and service applications. The framework aims to standardize market entry while fostering domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Safety Standards and Data Localization Requirements

The framework introduces a three-tier safety certification system administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Humanoid units exceeding 20 kilograms or operating above 1.5 meters per second must undergo rigorous stress testing in accredited laboratories before market entry. All data generated by onboard sensors must be stored on servers located within India, with encrypted cross-border transmission permitted only for cloud-based AI training models. Manufacturers failing to comply with the 90-day localization deadline will face suspension of import licenses. The guidelines also mandate emergency stop mechanisms and real-time operator monitoring for all units deployed in human-adjacent environments.

India Relevance and Pricing Mechanisms

To accelerate domestic production, the draft ties humanoid robot development to the existing Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Local manufacturers assembling humanoid platforms in India will qualify for subsidies capped at ₹500 crore annually, contingent on achieving 60 percent indigenous component integration. Conversely, imported humanoid units priced above ₹15 lakh will attract a revised 15 percent customs duty, though research and development prototypes under ₹5 lakh will remain duty-exempt. The policy also mandates a 5 percent annual localization target for core actuators and torque sensors, with phased compliance timelines extending through 2026.

Industry Response and Consultation Period

Public consultation on the draft guidelines runs until 20 June 2024, with virtual and physical submission channels open through the MeitY portal. Industry bodies, including the NASSCOM Robotics Division and the Indian Robotics Association, have requested clearer definitions for liability allocation in autonomous decision-making scenarios. The government has indicated that final rules will be notified by September 2024, pending stakeholder feedback and inter-ministerial review. Companies interested in pilot deployments under the guidelines must register through the DPIIT Robotics Gateway portal by 15 June.