Future-Proofing India’s Industries

Organized by the Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA), at Hotel TipTop International in Pune from September 25-26, 2024, the 7^th edition of ‘Symposium on Automation & Robotics’ centered on transformative industry mega-trends, painting a clear picture of a future where the sector advances into an era of unprecedented technological growth in line with the country’s progress.

Symposium on Automation & Robotics 2024 offered a glimpse into tomorrow with innovations and technologies. The conference featured more than 300 delegates representing about 100 companies in addition to a concurrently held exhibition that displayed ground-breaking advancements.

Visitors engaged with state-of-the-art equipment exchanged insights, and immersed themselves in technical demonstrations, which were both informative and inspirational. Sessions focused on vital topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, laser welding, sensors for Industry 4.0, robotics, machine learning for manufacturing, digital manufacturing, cobots, and the use of digital imaging, and many more. Apart from presentations, the discussion deliberated on self-reliance and start-up innovations, underlining the entrepreneurial spirit needed to push automation forward.

Pioneers shaping automation’s future

Visionaries at the helm inaugurated the Symposium, setting the tone for the event. Subrata Karmakar, Head - Robotics Business, ABB India, delivered a keynote address on ‘Embracing Automation - Global and Indian Perspective and India's Way Forward’ highlighting India’s potential to make waves in the global automation arena. While Rahul Yadav, Vice President - Manufacturing Excellence, Lean, IoT, Automation, Anand Automotive, in his keynote address on ‘Automation approach to master process and quality for Indian manufacturers and machine designers’, underscored IoT and lean processes’ importance in crafting future-ready manufacturing systems.

Other influential figures at the ceremony include Vikram Salunkhe, Managing Director, Accurate Gauging & Instruments Pvt Ltd and Ingrid Rasquinha, Jt Managing Director, Electropneumatics & Hydraulics (I) Pvt Ltd. Sharing the dais were Rajendra S Rajamane, President, IMTMA; Jibak Dasgupta, Director General & CEO, IMTMA; and Guru Prasath, Executive Director, IMTMA.

Insights, case studies, perspectives, and more

Touching upon a wide set of aptly chosen topics, industry experts’ presentations deeply resonated with the sector’s core needs. It included case studies like ‘Start-up Opportunity – Case Study on Innovation and Self-reliance, ARTPARK @ IISc’ and ‘A Case Study on Lights-Out Factory’.

Presentations were made on topics, including ‘Robotics and Automation for Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity’, ‘Industrial Automation and Robotics – Global Application Perspective’, ‘Smart Automation: For the Factory of the Future’, and ‘Easy Way of Robotics – Industry Connect’.

‘Make Your Sensor Application Easier, Efficient, and Precise through Innovative Approaches’ and ‘AI-Based Image Analytics for Process Monitoring in Galvanizing’, ‘Digitalization Solutions: Improving Productivity and Delivering Bottom-Line Performance’, and ‘Ease of Digitalization for Enhancing Efficiency’.

The issues of sustainability and resource optimization were deliberated in ‘Automation @ Sustainability’ and ‘Optimizing Energy Along with Resource Consumption and Achieving Remote Monitoring’.

Turning aspirations into action

Power-packed panelists from leading names like Ashok Leyland, Bajaj Auto, C4i4 Lab, FANUC India, Festo India, Leuze Electronic, Maxbyte Technologies, Rittal India, SCHUNK Intec India, Tata Motors, Titan Engineering and Automation Ltd, made the panel discussions impactful.

Addressing challenges and opportunities, the panel discussions recognized that skilling and upskilling the workforce are necessary for a seamless transition into advanced automation. It further drilled down on having a talent pool versed not only in new technologies but also adaptable to evolving trends—a vision that would transform the industry to be both future-ready and inclusive.  

Sovan Tudu Assistant Editor Magic Wand Media sovan.tudu@magicwandmedia.in

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