Have you imagined a world where surgical robots assist doctors with precision surgeries, autonomous vehicles navigate busy streets, automobiles become smarter, and smart factory floors run 24/7 with minimal human intervention? Have you heard about LEAP71, a Dubai-based technology company which completed the entire process of a 3D-printed rocket engine in just two weeks?

This is not a distant sci-fi dream but a reality that is unfolding right now. Welcome to the world of Robotics and AI!

The skilled engineers who are building, optimising tasks, and leading robotic systems are graduating today from various universities worldwide with forward-looking programmes like the BTech in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. At The NorthCap University (NCU), Gurugram, we are launching the same programme to develop a skilled workforce for the future. As an aspiring engineering student, one question deserves your full attention: Is this the right time to specialise in Robotics and AI? The short answer is a big yes.

Important Statistics

Sources: ABI Research, Statista, International Federation of Robotics (IFR) World Robotics 2024 Report

Why the Timing Has Never Been Better for a BTech Robotics and AI

The advancements in cutting-edge technologies and their rapid development have led to a high-demand environment for Robotics and AI professionals in India and abroad. These trends were not imaginable a decade ago, especially in India. According to ABI Research data insights, the global robotics and AI market stands close to USD 50 billion in 2025, and with technological developments and support from local sectors and advanced applications, it is set to double, reaching USD 111 billion by 2030. This exponential growth trajectory represents a compound annual growth rate of roughly 14% or more, which is rapidly transforming the technology sector in the automation-driven domain where robots and AI play a major role.

These developments and transformations in conventional technology domains are shifting towards AI-based robotics that integrate features such as cobots, which can communicate, understand user needs better, and mimic real-life humans. According to Statista Market Forecasts, the AI and Robotics segment will grow at a staggering 43% per year through 2031 and will touch a USD 222 billion market over the next five to six years. Major domains such as machine learning, computer vision, and deep learning are not just academic theory subjects but are being applied in real-world fields that promote intelligent systems, making robots useful in practical applications.

India’s Rapid Robotics Awakening

According to the IFR’s World Robotics 2024 report, India has started upgrading robot installations and recorded 8,510 new installations across sectors such as automobile manufacturing, medical applications, material handling, automated storage, etc., which is a year-on-year jump of 59%. The country is rapidly becoming a hub for service robotics, healthcare automation, and intelligent manufacturing, which is further supported by government initiatives promoting R&D and Industry 4.0 and 5.0 adoption in the country. The dependency on AI and robotic systems is increasing day by day, but in India, it will still take 10–15 more years for the demand to match that of foreign countries.

For any student entering a four-year B.Tech programme today, this means they will graduate precisely when India’s automation and industrial development sectors will be at their peak and demand will be at the highest level. The demand for skilled robotics engineers will rise in the next 2–3 years, and salary packages for graduates with hands-on expertise in AI-driven systems are expected to follow accordingly. The global trends will be mirrored in India too.

GLOBAL ROBOTICS MARKET SIZE — KEY SEGMENTS BY 2030 (USD BILLION)

The AI and robotics market is rapidly expanding, leading to increased applications of robots across various industrial domains. The different market segments for various types of robots are shown in the figure below:

The projected market for the various types of robots to be used across a variety of applications and sectors is showing an increasing trend and represents a significant shift towards flexible and intelligent automation in industries, especially in India, which is expected to become a major manufacturing hub in the coming years. Mobile robots designed for specific tasks are emerging as the market leader with a massive projected valuation of USD 75 billion in the coming years, while traditional industrial robots (USD 35 billion) continue to grow as automated logistics in smart warehouses and smart manufacturing plants expand rapidly.

The data also highlights the rising importance of specialised technologies, with the AI robotics market valued at USD 33.4 billion and the emerging humanoid robotics sector projected to reach USD 18 billion across various domains, including hospitality, medical services, healthcare, and domestic work. The overall growth trajectory demonstrates that while collaborative robots (USD 12 billion) currently remain smaller in number, they are expected to outpace others in the coming decade as industries rapidly move towards smart, intelligent, mobile, AI-driven, and low human-intervention technologies.

What NCU’s Programme Offers

The NorthCap University’s B.Tech programme in Robotics and AI is a four-year undergraduate engineering programme offered by the Multidisciplinary Engineering Department (MDE) that blends engineering fundamentals with the cutting-edge specialisations of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The MDE department within the School of Engineering and Technology (SOET) at The NorthCap University is a multidisciplinary knowledge hub offering various advanced courses in semiconductor design, fabrication, advanced manufacturing, AI, and robotics domains, where the curriculum is designed in line with market trends and follows an Outcome-Based Education (OBE) pedagogy.

The first two years of the Robotics and AI programme build a fundamentally strong base in mathematics, physics, semiconductors, AI, and core engineering sciences. From the third year onwards, NCU students dive deep into robotics-specific domains including mechanical design, materials, sensors and actuators, automation, control systems, and the integration of AI techniques. Subjects on major technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, and deep learning are further integrated into the programme. Furthermore, the curriculum is enriched with embedded systems, IoT, and cyber-physical systems, which together impart the desired skills to undergraduate students before they begin their professional journey.

Core Curriculum Highlights: BTech Robotics & AI at NCU

NCU designs its programme in such a way that students have flexibility in selecting their departmental and open electives as per their choices. NCU promotes flexibility throughout all programmes through its elective/open course architecture with multiple course buckets. Students are free to take open electives as per their interests and can tailor their skills through programme electives and open electives. The provision of MOOCs and online course credit transfers throughout the programme provides unlimited opportunities. This flexibility ensures that graduates are not just employable after graduation but also continue updating their skills to remain relevant across the technological landscape.

Career Pathways After Graduation

The scope of career options for a B.Tech graduate in Robotics and AI is exceptionally broad and is improving day by day. Cutting-edge research across this discipline has provided new opportunities for industries that are ready for technological transformation. Below are some of the upcoming career opportunities for NCU graduates of the Robotics and AI programme.

The application of this sector is majorly found in the healthcare sector, which alone provides massive opportunities for robotics graduates. With advancements in technology, robot-assisted surgeries have grown significantly in India, and many hospitals have implemented robotic-based medical procedures. Furthermore, robots have found many applications in agriculture, logistics, defence, and smart infrastructure. A graduate with strong knowledge and skills in both robotics and the integration of AI has wide scope across all the sectors mentioned above.

Addressing the Skills Gap
 In India, the reason to act now for an undergraduate degree in Robotics and AI is the lack of skilled professionals available in the market. The Robotics and AI thrust area is creating newer opportunities, which is widening the global skills gap and increasing the workforce required to cater to these needs. Industry analysts, experts, and research agencies have reported a shortage of professionals in this domain.

An engineering graduate who passes out in 2029 or 2030 with skills to lead robotic systems, smart and intelligent manufacturing systems, AI model deployment, sensor-embedded hardware, and innovative thinking will not be competing in a crowded field. They will be working on their own terms and choosing among the opportunities available in the market. The NCU programme, with its emphasis on capstone projects, internships, and industry mentorship, is specifically designed to produce graduates with industry-ready skills.

Come and feel the difference at NCU in the academic’s delivery!

Author
Dr. Satnam Singh
Associate Professor,
Multidisciplinary Engineering Department,
The NorthCap University, Gurugram.