Most of the machines that we use today are a part of the Robotic Technology that has encompassed our entire society and our lives. Yusra Husain explores

With the fast-paced time, humans have now become dependant on newer technology. The sophisticated machines, earlier regarded as a medium of entertainment, have now become the need of our daily life. Robotics is the branch of technology that deals with design, construction, operation, structural disposition, manufacture and application of robots. In a nutshell, robotics is related to the sciences of electronics, engineering, mechanics and software development.

An earliest design of a humanoid robot was given by Leonardo Da Vinci. With the advancement of science, robots are programmed to perform human functions. Robotics has crept into our daily lives. From calculators to laptops, and large mechanical appliances like washing machines and cars, these robotic machines have helped to cut down the labour cost, thereby, enhancing the end user product. With the rising demand, a career in robotics has steadily gained pace among the creative and talented students.

With this, a private engineering college in the city, has conceptualised an incubation cell. It has moved a step ahead by making simple and beginner robots to humanoid robot in collaboration with a Singapore based company.

Ambica Misra, executive director of the college, says, "We have designed the incubation cell according to the needs and demands of the growing robotics industry. The incubation cell is an assimilation of all the streams of engineering from electrical to civil including software development. Specialised industry level training is provided to our students in four years of duration. We train and prepare our students to face the upcoming challenges in the industry of robotics by putting the curriculum assigned into practice."

Revolution is created in the field of robotics when imagination is coupled up with technology. Robotics is an essential component in any modern manufacturing environment. As factories increase their use of robots, the number of robotics related jobs will grow. Most of the machine that we use today is a part of the robotic technology that has encompassed our entire society and our lives.

Stressing on robotics as a career option, Dr Amrita Dass, career counsellor, says, "The concept of robotics was originally introduced in the middle ages for entertainment. Robotics has changed the structure of the society by providing safer work conditions. Be it a production plant or extracting data from CD drives to cooking food in microwaves, robotics has certainly made human life easier. Advanced robotics has expedited space exploration. With a wide spectrum of application, there is an immense scope for a specialisation in this ever expanding field."

A beginner can earn around Rs 20, 000 to 30, 000 during the training session which can go up to Rs 50, 000 or more, depending on the competency level of the student.

Nabeel Mehdi, a second year engineering student, Aligarh Muslim University, says, "After completing my Masters in Robotics, I will create machines to help disaster-prone countries. Also, robotic arms and legs will help disabled people. Robotics has a wide scope in countries with scarce population like Canada and Australia where there is more demand of mechanical labour."

Robotics is a multi-disciplinary stream or a career choice that helps students to acquire knowledge on each subject. Farid Ahsan, IIT-K student, feels, "Every branch of engineering plays a vital role when you get into robotics. You need to be good at mechanical, electrical engineering and also be a good programmer and material scientist. Robotics allows multiple points of access to science and technology for students."

In a vast expanding and lucrative career option in robotics, researchers continue to improve on design, technology, machinery and overall benefit to the end user.