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Rajeev Karwal-led Milagrow has seen a surge in demand during Covid-19 and aims to be among the world’s top robotics firms.

- Abhik Sen And Sourav Majumdar

WHEN ONE THINKS of a robot, chances are the image that comes to mind is that of a humanoid assistant. For more than 50 years, science fiction writers, notably Isaac Asimov, have shaped the idea of robots for many of us. And films and television have aided it, adding to the mystery surrounding the world of robots.

Reality, however, is quite different. P.N. Sudarshan, partner at consultancy firm Deloitte India, says the robotics market can be classified into three primary categories: industrial robots, professional service robots, and software robots. “While industrial robots have been in existence for the last few decades, professional service robots and software robots are more recent,” he says. Professional service robots are those that are used outside of manufacturing, in domains such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, logistics (warehouse automation), construction, and agriculture, among other areas.

If you’ve visited a hotel, hospital, or mall in the recent past, chances are you’ve encountered a professional service robot. These generally mop floors, clean windows and swimming pools, and can also mow lawns. In fact, in April, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi deployed two robots at their Covid-19 ward—one to disinfect the floors, and the other to help doctors remotely monitor and interact with patients. Both were manufactured by Gurugram-based Milagrow Business & Knowledge Solutions.