Robots are Helping Humans in a Growing Number of Places

Strategic Insights -

Robotics engineers are among the top 20 job types projected to increase between now and 2030, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025. In numerous settings around the world, robots, often teamed with artificial intelligence (AI), are helping humans with a range of tasks, including high-risk and complex jobs, and work in places where humans can't go. From archaeological sites to disaster zones, and from care homes to sewers, robots are supporting humans in various ways, showcasing their potential to augment and enhance human capabilities.

Key Takeaways:

  • Robots are being used in archaeological sites, such as Pompeii, where a robot dog called Spot carries out safety patrols and inspects underground tunnels.
  • The Atlas robot, developed by Boston Dynamics, has demonstrated the ability to throw a tool bag to a worker on an elevated platform, showcasing its awareness of Newton's third law and its potential for meaningful work outside the lab.
  • Soft robots, made from a mixture of slime and magnetic particles, have been discovered at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, allowing them to squeeze through narrow spaces and grasp solid objects.
  • In disaster zones, robots, such as the world's smallest and lightest wireless robot in China, and the SPROUT (Soft Pathfinding Robotic Observation Unit) vine robot in the US, are providing invaluable support to human search and rescue teams.
  • Robots are also being used in social care, such as in Scotland, where assisted living labs are being used to develop robots that can monitor long-term health conditions and help people live more independently.
  • Robots are being used in various industries, including energy, with a six-legged robot developed in the UK to inspect and maintain wind turbine bolts, and in agriculture, with the SharpShooter robot, developed by Verdant Robotics, to help farmers with yield and sustainability.
  • Innovations in robotics are driving job growth, with robotics engineers ranking among the top 20 job types projected to increase between now and 2030, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025.
  • Three start-ups, CynLr, Robocon, and RoboForce, have been selected as Technology Pioneers for 2025, with a focus on advanced robotics, AI-powered robotic systems, and smart factory solutions.

Statistics:

  • According to the World Economic Forum, there are 1.1 million unpaid carers in Scotland, with a fifth saying they haven't had any time off in more than five years.
  • The sharpShooter robot can weed, fertilize, and tackle disease in crops with pinpoint accuracy, as well as collect data on the whole farm down to the plant level.
  • The six-legged robot in the UK can autonomously inspect the bolts on wind turbines, eliminating the need for humans to loosen and retighten them.
  • The SPROUT vine robot can extend itself up to 10 feet and has a built-in camera to pinpoint the exact location of trapped survivors after a building collapse.
  • The Atlas robot can throw a tool bag to a worker on an elevated platform, showcasing its awareness of Newton's third law.

Sources:

  • World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025
  • Archaeological Park of Pompeii
  • Boston Dynamics
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Harvard John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
  • National Robotarium
  • Sewer Robotics
  • Marine Technology News
  • University of Essex
  • World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Survey 2024