Robots As Workplace Allies: Bridging Labour Gaps And Shaping The Future Of Work

The notion that robots will soon become an integral part of the workforce, working alongside humans to bridge the gaps in labour, is gaining traction. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), one of the top five global robotics trends this year will be robots emerging as ‘allies’ in tackling labour shortages, particularly as employers struggle to find specialised skills.

The IFR’s forecast suggests that the benefits robots bring, such as alleviating labour shortages, automating routine tasks, and creating new career opportunities, will lead to their acceptance as allies in the workplace. This shift is already underway, with the global market value of industrial robot installations reaching an all-time high of US$16. 7 billion.

The automotive industry, warehousing, and manufacturing are among the sectors that are increasingly adopting robots. A case in point is Amazon, which deployed its one millionth robot to a fulfilment centre in Japan last year. The e-commerce giant has also introduced a new robot equipped with a sense of touch and speeds comparable to those of its frontline employees.

The numbers are telling: according to IFR data, there were 542,000 robots installed globally in 2024, more than double the number 10 years ago.