A complete guide to making a career in Robotics & Automation

A branch of engineering, Robotics deals with the application and design of robots and usage of computers for their processing and manipulation while inculcating different disciplines to build, program, design, and use robotic machines. Automation, on the other hand, means using computer machines, software or other technology to perform tasks that would usually be undertaken by a human worker. There are different types of automation, ranging from the fully virtual to the fully mechanical, and from easy and simple to the extremely complex.

Scope of Robotics

One of the prominent professional careers in India, Robotics and Automation engineering provide ample opportunities for aspirants both in India as well as abroad. From developing experimental robotics for the military to manufacturing line robots, medical and automotive industries, the future of robotics engineering certainly offers a diversity of opportunities for professionals aspiring to enter the field. A candidate having an ME degree in robotics can find employment opportunities in space research organisations such as ISRO and also in industries that produce microchips.

Robotics engineers are usually employed in organisations involved in space exploration, laboratories, manufacturing plants, mining, etc. Presently, the gaming industry is providing the most enjoyable variation of the kind of intelligence provided by robotics to the public. Most robotics engineers are recruited by private robot users or manufacturers and are referred to as robotics test engineers or automation system engineers. Apart from it, professionals in robotics and automation can also choose teaching jobs in universities and colleges.

From developing experimental robotics for the military to manufacturing line robots, medical and automotive industries, the future of robotics engineering certainly offers a diversity of opportunities for professionals aspiring to enter the field.

According to PayScale, the average salary of a robotics engineer is around $85,000 per year.

Career Opportunities

In the present day world, Robotics and Automation have been creating more opportunities than ever. For instance, Robots are utilised in several industries for speeding up the manufacturing process, including the field of sea exploration, nuclear science, designing of bio-medical equipment, servicing of transmission electric signals, etc. Automation and Robotics Engineering is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services.

A specialisation in robotics engineering may lead to diverse career opportunities in the fields of manufacturing, agriculture, research and engineering, mining, and much more. Among the diverse career opportunities, here are some of the careers and industries where a Robotic Engineer can pursue their career:

1. Space Research - A Robotics Engineer has the opportunity to pursue his career in space research with organisations such as NASA, ISRO, etc., where the application of Robotics, Automation and AI is prevalent.
2. Medical - Primarily used in the surgery and rehabilitation sector of medicine, Robotics can also guide you in specialising in human treatment through therapeutic robot devices.
3. Entertainment - Robotics specialists play an immense role in the gaming industry by amplifying video games using artificial intelligence embedded with robotics.
4. Banking - Managing the banking operations, stocks, etc. too need robotics and automation.
5. Private Organisations - There are numerous ways Robotics engineers help private organisations build, design and test robotic systems and software.

1. Agriculture - The evolving agriculture sector has opened diverse career opportunities for robotics. The Robots can help distinguish field weeds from crops while eliminating the need for untargeted spraying with herbicide or GM crops.
2. Environmental Research - There are multifarious ways in which robotics can contribute to environmental research, from collecting data from ocean surfaces and underwater, to even operating during storms and safeguarding human lives.
3. Food Service - An ever-growing industry, the food industry has Robots perform various crucial tasks. Be it the factory floor or an espresso machine, robotics and automation can be found in almost every nook and corner.
4. Manufacturing – With the advancement in technology, Robots are becoming increasingly accurate at performing complex tasks, intelligent movement and selection, dexterous movements, performing multiple actions and boosting the manufacturing process.

Robotics and Automation at Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University (CU) is one of the few higher education institutions in the country to offer a course in Robotics and Automation. The postgraduate degree in Robotics & Automation at Chandigarh University is one of its kind in numerous ways. Some of the top reasons to pursue your masters in the field at Chandigarh University are as follows:

1. Leveraged Technology & Infrastructure - CU has earmarked an annual IT budget of Rs. 11 Crore to leverage emerging technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities.
2. Rankings & Accreditations - The country’s youngest private university with NAAC A+ grade accreditation, CU is among the top-ranked institutions in North India for imparting AICTE approved Engineering programs. Apart from it, the varsity has several accolades to its name such as ‘University with Best Placements’ by WCRC, etc.
3. Industry patronage - The varsity has set up several industry-sponsored labs and advanced learning centres at the campus, which facilitates modern learning. Some of the major companies offering patronage include Amazon, IBM, etc.
4. Placements - The varsity has shown a continuous incline in the number of placements and MNC’s visiting the campus for placements. Also, CU managed to generate 5000+ placement offers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
5. International exposure - International guest lectures, foreign internships, semester exchange, etc. are instrumental factors in amplifying international exposure, which is a key to success in the present-day world.

Note: The views expressed in this article are that of the institute and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha