How Yaskawa India is powering the future with automation as the driving force in modern manufacturing.

In today's dynamic industrial landscape, the manufacturing sector is experiencing a transformative shift driven by automation. The need for greater efficiency, improved safety, and scalable production processes is pushing industries to adopt advanced solutions such as industrial robots and collaborative robots (cobots). These technologies are no longer futuristic concepts but real-world tools reshaping shopfloors across India and the world.

At the forefront of this revolution is Yaskawa India, a leading provider of motion control and robotics solutions. With a rich legacy and expertise in industrial automation, Yaskawa is empowering manufacturers to evolve and remain competitive in a rapidly changing environment.

Yaskawa’s vision for smart manufacturing

Yaskawa is not just about providing robots; it’s about driving smart manufacturing. The company's i3-Mechatronics concept blends industrial robots, digital technologies, and data analytics to deliver real-time production insights. Through platforms like Yaskawa Cockpit, manufacturers can monitor over 100 types of digital data such as torque, vibration, and temperature, ensuring predictive maintenance, minimising downtime, and optimising performance.

Yaskawa’s approach to automation is holistic—offering both traditional robots and cobots to support every level of manufacturing need, from high-volume production to flexible, human-robot collaboration.

Robots and cobots: Together shaping the future

Robots and cobots are often seen as separate entities, but in modern manufacturing, they work best when complementing one another. Industrial robots excel at high-speed, high-precision, and repetitive tasks. They are widely used in operations like welding, painting, laser cutting, and material handling—especially in large-scale manufacturing environments.

On the other hand, collaborative robots, such as the Yaskawa HC Series, are designed to work safely alongside human operators. With built-in safety features, compact footprints, and intuitive programming, cobots are ideal for tasks that require flexibility and human oversight, such as welding, pick-and-place, vision inspection, handling, gluing, and packaging.

Yaskawa offers both these automation solutions, enabling customers to select or combine technologies based on application, scalability, and process demands.

EV manufacturing: Driving a new era of automation

The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has brought a significant shift in manufacturing strategies. As the global market transitions from internal combustion engines to electric powertrains, OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers are rapidly upgrading their facilities to meet new production requirements.

With battery electric vehicles (BEVs) making up over 70% of EV sales, the demand for lightweight chassis, battery module assembly, and high-precision welding has surged. Yaskawa robots are integral to this transformation—handling critical processes like laser welding, dispensing, battery assembly, and chassis manipulation.

As suppliers pivot from traditional engine components to high-voltage battery systems and gigacasting processes, Yaskawa robots are helping meet demands for speed, quality, and cost-efficiency in EV production.

From traditional to advanced workflows

While traditional assembly lines are still operational, new-age manufacturing calls for adaptability. Gigacasting—a process where large vehicle body parts are cast as a single component—has become a favored approach for reducing weight and streamlining production. Yaskawa robots assist in these applications through cast tending, deflashing, laser ablation, and surface cleaning, ensuring minimal cycle times and maximum accuracy.

Meanwhile, Yaskawa cobots continue to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing flexible automation that doesn’t require major infrastructural changes. Whether it's machine tending or component inspection, cobots allow businesses to automate cost-effectively.

Digital integration: Enabling Industry 4.0

Yaskawa robots are built for seamless integration into the Industry 4.0 ecosystem. By connecting to MES, ERP, cloud platforms, and AI-driven systems, Yaskawa automation solutions unlock real-time analytics, adaptive process control, and smarter decision-making.

This digital-first approach is crucial for future-proofing manufacturing plants. With predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and digital diagnostics, plant managers can proactively respond to issues before they disrupt operations—drastically improving OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).

MOTOMAN NEXT: A new generation of robots

Yaskawa continues to innovate with the launch of its MOTOMAN NEXT Series, the industry’s first robot lineup with autonomous adaptivity and judgment capabilities. These robots are not just programmable—they are responsive and intelligent.

Available in models with payload capacities of 4kg, 7kg, 10kg, 20kg, and 35kg, the MOTOMAN NEXT series is built on an open automation platform that supports the goal of solving societal challenges through robotics. This advancement aligns with Yaskawa’s commitment to sustainable innovation and reimagined factory automation.

Training and after-sales support

Beyond technology, Yaskawa India is committed to empowering customers through training, support, and guidance. The company offers robust technical assistance, on-site commissioning, and user training to ensure the successful adoption of robotic systems.

Yaskawa also supports its ecosystem of system integrators and OEM collaborators with continual knowledge sharing, application development, and strategic alignment—ensuring long-term success and customer satisfaction.

The future of manufacturing is not about choosing between robots and cobots—it’s about understanding how they complement each other to build smarter, safer, and more scalable production ecosystems.

Yaskawa India stands as a catalyst in this transformation, offering cutting-edge technology, deep domain expertise, and a partnership mindset to help manufacturers thrive in the age of intelligent automation.

Whether you’re retooling your plant for electric vehicles, digitising legacy systems, or enhancing operator safety with cobots—Yaskawa’s robotic solutions are built to deliver value at every stage.

For more information, connect with us: [email protected]

www.yaskawaindia.in 

ABB India delivers integrated automation and digital technology for Indianoil

ABB India Ltd has successfully delivered an integrated scope of advanced automation and digital solutions for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd's (IndianOil) countrywide oil and gas pipeline network. Spanning over 20,000 m across multiple states in India, the network is vital to supporting the country's energy needs, transporting 125 million metric tonnes of oil and 49 million metric standard cubic meters of gas annually.

ABB's solutions will be at the core of supporting IndianOil's Centralised Pipeline Information Management System (CPIMS). The project involved the design, engineering, supply and commissioning of the ABB Ability™ SCADAvantage digital platform, which features robust cyber security and disaster recovery systems hosted on the cloud. The scope also included digital solutions for centralised management of IndianOil's pipelines across the country. Additionally, ABB is providing a 10-year ABB Care contract to ensure all existing pipelines are unified under CPIMS and to provide long-term service support for IndianOil's pipeline infrastructure.

"CPIMS has been envisioned to address the complexities associated with the maintenance and operation of the cross-country pipeline network. By leveraging cutting edge technology, this project aims to eliminate manual operations and enhance the efficiency, productivity, and availability of the pipeline network" said Mr Senthil Kumar N, Director (Pipelines), IndianOil. "At IndianOil, we value our enduring partnership with ABB, which spans over a decade."

"With energy demand growing in line with population increases, ABB is committed to supporting global energy security, while making existing energy systems leaner and cleaner. We are proud to partner with IndianOil on the CPIMS project, which marks a significant leap in pipeline operations' efficiency, safety, integrity and cyber security," said G Balaji, Head of ABB Energy Industries in India. "Our advanced SCADA and cyber security solutions support real-time data monitoring and help protect the critical assets of pipeline networks."

ABB was awarded the CPIMS project contract in February 2024. Within one year, ABB designed and delivered its integrated solutions for managing the pipeline network, which is under commissioning.