Model Question and Answers for APSC | What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation.

Ans: There are many areas of labour that can be sustainably managed by robots, especially those that involve repetitive, physically demanding, or hazardous tasks.

The areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots are:

• Mining: Mining is a dangerous job that exposes workers to harmful chemicals, dust, and physical dangers such as cave-ins. Robots can be used to perform mining operations such as excavation, drilling, and blasting, reducing the risk of injury and death to human workers.

• Nuclear Power Plants: Nuclear power plants pose a significant danger to human workers due to the risk of exposure to radiation. Robots can be used to perform maintenance and repair tasks in these facilities, reducing the risk to human workers.

• Hazardous Waste Handling: The handling and disposal of hazardous waste is a dangerous job that exposes workers to harmful chemicals and other hazards. Robots can be used to handle and transport hazardous waste, reducing the risk to human workers. Example: Bandicoot the robotic scavenger launched by Kerala government.

• Agriculture: Agricultural work can be hazardous due to exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, as well as physical dangers such as heavy machinery. Robots can be used to perform tasks such as planting, watering, and harvesting crops, reducing the risk to human workers.

• Construction: Construction work involves working at heights, with heavy machinery, and in other hazardous conditions. Robots can be used to perform tasks such as demolition, excavation, and welding, reducing the risk to human workers.

• Emergency Response: Emergency response situations such as fires, natural disasters, and terrorist attacks can be dangerous for human responders. Robots can be used to assist in these situations by providing surveillance, reconnaissance, and communication support, reducing the risk to human responders.

In terms of initiatives that can propel research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation, there are several key areas that could be focused on:

• Set aside funds specifically for research and development to address the lack of funding. Along with funds, provide proper infrastructure to entice notable scientists to stay in the country and conduct research.

• Encourage personal innovation, such as the development of Agribot, an agricultural robot for fieldwork, by granting it sunrise status and extending tax benefits for 20 years, similar to those given to the IT sector.

• Offer both tax and non-tax benefits to attract international companies to establish their research centres in the country.

• Utilise the Make in India initiative to promote the growth of the robotics industry within the country.

• Research institutes can partner with companies in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, healthcare, and construction to develop and test new robot technologies.

• Robot development requires expertise in fields such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and materials science.

Overall, there is significant potential for robots to be used in a wide range of industries to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve working conditions. By focusing on collaboration, interdisciplinary research, funding, and education, research institutes can play a key role in developing the next generation of robot technologies.