A global competition is in progress to introduce robotics into our daily routines, with a new wave of AI-driven robots offering enhanced flexibility. The rapid progress in artificial intelligence has led to robots being utilized for various tasks, from collaborating with humans in warehouses to transporting packages on urban roads and inspecting hazardous areas. This advancement enables robots to learn on the job, with experts warning that Canada risks missing out if it fails to embrace adoption at this pivotal moment.
The prevailing buzzword in the realm of artificial intelligence is “physical AI,” as evidenced at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The concept involves equipping physical systems such as robots, autonomous vehicles, or industrial machinery with sensors to act logically and responsively in the real world when combined with current AI methodologies.
During CES, Google and Boston Dynamics, an American robotics company, revealed a collaboration to test AI-powered robots in Hyundai auto plants, featuring two versions of a robot named Atlas. Although the vision of general-purpose humanoid robots performing household chores like dishwashing and laundry remains distant, AI is progressively transitioning into the physical domain.
Unlike the traditional top-down programming approach for robots in controlled environments with repetitive tasks, a bottom-up training method inspired by generative AI allows for more adaptable and “plug and play” robots that can learn autonomously. This shift enables robots to swiftly adapt and undertake more complex tasks, enhancing their reasoning and cognitive abilities.
China has emerged as a frontrunner in driving robotics innovation and adoption globally, with over half of the industrial robots installed worldwide in China. The country’s shift from importing to manufacturing robots domestically has propelled its industry leadership, outpacing other nations.
The global robotics market reached nearly $50 billion US in 2025, with projections indicating a potential surge to $111 billion US by 2030. However, Canada’s industrial robotics adoption lags, ranking 13th in operational stock in 2024. The automotive sector aside, Canada’s adoption rate falls behind other countries, attributing to sluggish productivity growth.
Canadian companies encounter hurdles in marketing robotics domestically, often necessitating international sales for expansion. Regulatory constraints in Canada have also hindered robotics adoption, prompting calls for a more proactive approach to deploying robotics technology responsibly and swiftly.
Industry advocates like the Canadian Robotics Council advocate for a national robotics strategy in Canada to leverage the transformative potential of robotics technologies. While other countries like China, South Korea, Germany, and Japan have established dedicated national strategies, Canada’s focus remains on broader AI strategies encompassing talent development, adoption, and public trust in AI systems.