Home ›› 01 Dec 2021 ›› Front
In the vanguard of most technological innovation, robot has become the most sought after utility tool to perform human tasks in business world with precision and speed to boost productivity and cut costs, thereby staying relevant in breakneck competition.
The orientation of robots, as experts call it, is the fourth industrial revolution which is the upshot of digital transformation.
From spinning mills to automobile, plastic industry, agro-processor, electronic, export-oriented furniture items, and the like, there is hardly any sector in local economy where robots and automated systems are not penetrating.
In line with the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), Bangladesh High-Tech Park Authority has taken up a vast initiative to create 2000-2500 robots by 2031 for automation.
To this end, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) trained a total of 32,000 people on robotics, artificial intelligence and future technologies to achieve the goal.
While sharing his view with The Business Post, Managing Director Bikarna Kumar Ghosh of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park said mega industrial enterprises cannot survive without the use of robots within the next decade.
“The developed countries have already adopted robotic technology and been enjoying the fruition of it. Some local industrialists here have taken it up. Actually, we want to bring in the fourth industrial revolution through eco-technology and robots,” opined the official.
‘”It is so hard to create a large number of robot manufacturers in Bangladesh at a moment, but it will be possible within the next 5-7 seven years.”
Five public universities include Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Dhaka University have opened robotics programming course in collaboration with the High-Tech Park Authority and Bangladesh Computer Council. Private universities are also following suit.
Shaikh Anowarul Fattah, professor, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) at BUET, told The Business Post a robot may have various shapes apart from resembling humans. Basically, it is an automation technology instrumental in surviving the 4IR.
“In future, it is likely that buyers will refuse manual production of multiple products compared to what they see in other manufacturing countries. Therefore, RMG sector should be equipped with this automation. But Bangladesh has lagged much in this context,” said Prof Fattah, who is also the vice-chairman of BUET Robotics and Automation Society.
There is no denying the fact that robotics entails both opportunities and threats. Labour-centric value addition in manufacturing sector faces threat, according to the National Strategy for Robotics 2020 of the ICT Divisionof Bangladesh.
Experts say for swift production and processing, transportation of goods or cargo, and operations in indoor environments, large industries have second to none but go for automation.
Former BGMEA president and Envoy Group Managing Director Abdus Salam Murshedy argued that a total of 30 robots are working for his spinning mills.
“When buyers seek for an urgent shipment, we go for automation since robots can work 10 times faster than what humans do. Thus we keep pace with the urgency,” explained the business tycoon.
“Future large spinning mills will not run without robots. Envoy Group will install more robots for denim production in 2022.”
Plastic Industries are using high-end production machinery being controlled by the embedded programmable logic controllers.
Another former BGMEA President and Chairman of Envoy Group Kutubuddin Ahmed said the country’s 10 per cent textile and spinning mills use robotic technology.
“Envoy is the pioneer in introducing Robot in the country,” Kutub told The Business Post.
According to a projection of BGMEA, the use of robotic technology in the local industry will be as high as 23 per cent.
Shamim Ahmed, president, Bangladesh Plastic Good Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said over a hundred plastic manufacturers use robots to bring up a heated item from the mold. That’s why workers are keeping themselves safe from mold risk while time is being saved.
Export-oriented furniture manufacturers deploy robots to improve precision painting and consistency on one hand, thus reducing wastage of resources like chemicals, and other materials in finishing furniture.
Talking to The Business Post Selim H Rahman, HATIL chairman and managing director, said: “We are the pioneer of using robot in furniture factories. Currently, a robot is working on furnishing. Another robot is due to arrive from Italy soon.”
“Robot is performing extraordinarily when it comes to painting furniture perfectly. We are not reducing manpower. Robot is our added advantage,” said Selim, who is also chairman of Bangladesh Furniture Industries Owners Association.
According to the World Economic Forum report, the fourth industrial revolution represents a fundamental change in human thought particularly when it comes to living, working and relating to one another.
It is a new chapter in human development enabled by extraordinary technological advances commensurate with those of the first, second, and third industrial revolutions, cited the report.
Alongside a cornucopia of good things, robotic automation also threatens labour sector in a developing country like Bangladesh. Around 5.38 million jobs are likely to be at risk in five key areas by 2041 for the advent of automation. It poses a particular threat to RMG workers.
Experts suggest that robots could also be used to carry out low-value tasks while high value ones would be performed by labour.
Neighboring India is using robot in leather sector. But Bangladeshi leather goods and footwear manufacturers are lagging far behind in this field.
Kazi Rawshan Ara, executive director, Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh, said: “India and China are manufacturing patent designs on leather goods and footwear, but we are unable to do the same work.”
Local educational institutions are providing Robotics Programming or operations, but not on hardware manufacturing.
Alokito Bangladesh Foundation has introduced a virtual course on how to use a robot sensor.
Its founder ATM Iftekhar Hossain said: “Our first target is to provide a basic guideline to interested students on how to operate a robot, and then we will move on to advanced level to manufacture robots.”
STEMON, a Japan-based after-school programme for kids, offers robot education in Bangladesh. Its senior Business Executive Nazia Hossain said new generation gets ultra-modern devices like cellphone, computer, and are being smart and digitised.
The market of robots is segmented into three main sections -- hardware, software and service. Some key market players are Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan), ABB Group (Switzerland), Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd (Japan), Rockwell Automation Incorporated (US) and FANUC Corporation (Japan).
