Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by the convergence of physical, digital, and biological spheres, is rapidly transforming the nature of work. While automation promises increased efficiency and productivity, its application to ‘prohibitive labour’ – tasks deemed unsafe, unhealthy, or morally objectionable for humans – presents a unique opportunity. India, with its large workforce and growing economy, stands to benefit significantly from strategically deploying robotics in such areas. However, realizing this potential requires substantial investment in research and development within premier research institutes, fostering innovation that is both substantive and economically viable.
Defining Prohibitive Labour
Prohibitive labour encompasses tasks that pose significant risks to human health, safety, or dignity. These include:
- Hazardous Environments: Work in radioactive zones, deep-sea exploration, disaster relief (handling hazardous materials), and mining.
- Repetitive & Ergonomically Challenging Tasks: Assembly line work involving highly repetitive motions leading to musculoskeletal disorders.
- Dangerous Tasks: Demolition, firefighting, bomb disposal, and high-altitude construction.
- Unethical Tasks: Certain forms of surveillance, potentially exploitative manufacturing processes.
Areas Suitable for Robotic Automation
Several areas of prohibitive labour are particularly well-suited for sustainable robotic management:
- Mining: Robots can operate in underground mines, reducing risks associated with collapses, gas leaks, and exposure to harmful dust. (Example: Rio Tinto’s use of autonomous haul trucks in Australian mines).
- Disaster Response: Robots equipped with sensors and manipulators can search for survivors in collapsed buildings, handle hazardous materials, and assess structural damage. (Example: Robots deployed during the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster).
- Deep-Sea Exploration: Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) can explore the ocean depths, collect data, and perform maintenance tasks without risking human lives.
- Nuclear Facility Maintenance: Robots can inspect and repair nuclear reactors, handling radioactive materials and minimizing human exposure.
- Demolition: Robotic demolition systems can safely dismantle structures, reducing the risk of injury to workers.
Initiatives to Propel Research in Premier Research Institutes
To foster substantive and gainful innovation in robotics, the following initiatives are crucial:
- Increased Funding: Significantly increase budgetary allocation for robotics research in institutions like IITs, IISc, and CSIR labs. (Statistic: India’s spending on R&D is approximately 0.7% of GDP, significantly lower than countries like Israel (5%) and South Korea (4.2%) – Source: Economic Survey 2022-23).
- Industry-Academia Collaboration: Establish strong partnerships between research institutions and private companies to facilitate technology transfer and commercialization. (Scheme: The Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) under the Ministry of Education aims to foster such collaborations).
- Establishment of Robotics Centers of Excellence: Create specialized centers focusing on specific areas of robotics, such as agricultural robotics, medical robotics, and industrial automation.
- Curriculum Development: Revamp engineering curricula to incorporate robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
- National Robotics Mission: Launch a comprehensive National Robotics Mission with clear objectives, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
- Focus on Indigenous Component Manufacturing: Encourage the development of indigenous robotics components to reduce reliance on imports and promote self-reliance.
- Ethical Frameworks: Develop ethical guidelines and regulations for the development and deployment of robots, addressing issues such as job displacement and algorithmic bias.
Challenges and Mitigation
Despite the potential, several challenges need to be addressed:
- High Initial Investment: Robotics systems can be expensive to develop and deploy.
- Skill Gap: A shortage of skilled personnel in robotics and automation.
- Infrastructure Limitations: Inadequate infrastructure, such as reliable power supply and internet connectivity.
- Social Acceptance: Concerns about job displacement and the impact of robots on society.
Mitigation strategies include providing financial incentives for adoption, investing in skill development programs, improving infrastructure, and promoting public awareness about the benefits of robotics.
Conclusion
The sustainable management of prohibitive labour through robotics offers a pathway to enhance worker safety, improve productivity, and drive economic growth. However, realizing this potential requires a concerted effort to boost research and development, foster collaboration between academia and industry, and address the associated challenges proactively. A forward-looking approach, coupled with strategic investments and a focus on ethical considerations, will be crucial for India to harness the transformative power of robotics and secure a competitive advantage in the global landscape.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.