A competition is currently happening on a global scale to integrate robotics into our daily routines, as a new era of AI-driven robots offers enhanced versatility. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have led to robots being utilized for various tasks, such as collaborating with humans in warehouses, delivering packages in urban areas, and inspecting hazardous sites. Canada is at risk of missing out on this trend if it doesn’t embrace adoption at this crucial juncture.
The focal point in artificial intelligence currently revolves around “physical AI,” as showcased at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This concept involves equipping physical systems like robots, autonomous vehicles, or industrial machinery with sensors to enable logical and responsive actions when paired with existing AI methodologies.
During CES, Google and Boston Dynamics revealed a collaboration to trial AI-powered robots at Hyundai auto plants, featuring two models of a robot called Atlas. Although the development of general-purpose humanoid robots for household chores like dishwashing and laundry folding remains distant, AI is now transitioning into the physical realm.
Conventionally, robots are programmed in a top-down manner for specific sequential tasks, suitable for controlled environments with repetitive operations, such as factory robotics. However, adopting the approach that has proven successful in generative AI allows for training robots in a bottom-up manner, making them more adaptable and capable of learning dynamically on the job.
This novel approach not only enables robots to adjust swiftly but also empowers them to undertake more intricate tasks requiring reasoning and decision-making capabilities. Companies like Waabi are using virtual environments to train machines, particularly those operating in dynamic settings like autonomous vehicles.
While robotics technology is at a pivotal point, Canada is perceived to be lagging behind, with China emerging as a frontrunner in the industry. China has taken significant strides in manufacturing its robotics technology, a shift that has positioned the country as a global leader in industrial robot installations.
The global robotics market witnessed substantial growth, reaching nearly $50 billion in 2025, with projections indicating a potential surge to $111 billion by 2030. Despite Canada’s high adoption rate of industrial robotics in the automotive sector, the overall adoption rate in the country lags, placing Canada behind nations like South Korea, China, and the United States.
Canadian companies encounter challenges in marketing robotics domestically, often opting to sell internationally for growth, which widens the productivity gap within Canada. Regulatory frameworks in Canada are perceived as hindrances to adoption, with the U.S. being more conducive to technological deployment and innovation.
The absence of a national robotics strategy in Canada has been highlighted as a drawback, whereas countries like China, South Korea, Germany, and Japan have dedicated strategies in place. Suggestions for a comprehensive national strategy have been put forth by industry representatives like the Canadian Robotics Council, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach encompassing training, incentives, and funding.
