Where’s Your Robotics Policy, Representative?

As automation reshapes our lives, too many lawmakers are still silent

Jun 20, 2025

“We are being propelled into this new century with no plan, no map, no compass.”
— Carl Sagan

We are long past the point where robotics and automation can be treated as niche policy topics. These technologies are rewriting the rules of work, reshaping the global manufacturing landscape, redefining national security, and transforming the delivery of healthcare, education, and logistics. Yet walk through the halls of most national legislatures, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find more than a few elected officials with a stated position, let alone a plan, on how their governments should engage with this technological shift.

That needs to change.

Just as countries once created ministerial posts for energy, digital affairs, and climate change, the time has come for elected leaders to add robotics and automation portfolios to their policy toolkits. From regulating safety to fostering innovation, and from reskilling displaced workers to ensuring ethical deployment, the absence of clear political leadership on automation is a growing liability.

Across the world, a few legislators are beginning to chart the path. Their efforts should not remain exceptions…..they should become the standard.

UK: A Nation at the Robotics Crossroads

In the United Kingdom, two politicians have begun speaking with clarity and urgency on the issue: John Slinger MP and the Rt Hon Greg Clark.

Slinger, the Labour MP for Rugby, has emerged as a rare voice of optimism and realism about the role automation should play in British society. In parliamentary remarks and at industry events like Robotics and Automation 2025, Slinger has emphasized that it is not robots we should fear, but inaction. His argument is grounded in economic pragmatism: Britain cannot remain competitive without embracing intelligent automation in its supply chains, defense sector, and public services.

Meanwhile, Greg Clark, former Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and now a leader at the University of Warwick’s Innovation District, has continued to advocate for advanced manufacturing and automation infrastructure. His presence at robotics events, such as the MTC conference, signals a recognition among some senior Conservatives that industrial automation is not optional—it’s existential.

But two voices are not enough. The UK needs more MPs to treat robotics policy with the seriousness it deserves, whether that means debating a National Robotics Strategy, funding testbeds, or regulating AI-robot integration in healthcare settings. Other countries are already doing so.

United States: A Congressional Caucus Steps Up

In Washington, D.C., the relaunch of the Congressional Robotics Caucus earlier this year marked a long-overdue return to form. Initially created in 2007 but dormant for years, the caucus now boasts bipartisan leadership from Reps. Jim McGovern (D‑MA), Bob Latta (R‑OH), Haley Stevens (D‑MI), and Jay Obernolte (R‑CA), an encouraging sign of cross-party recognition of automation’s importance.

The reformed caucus aims to educate members of Congress on robotics developments, support U.S. R&D, and strengthen the national workforce for an automated economy. Members range from Rust Belt representatives concerned about manufacturing to West Coast legislators familiar with tech-sector innovations. Their efforts touch on issues such as export controls, AI risk management, labor reskilling, and reshoring supply chains.

And critically, they have legislative leverage. With congressional authority comes the power to shape budgets, authorize grants, direct federal procurement, and influence how agencies like NIST, NSF, and DoD engage with robotics vendors and standards bodies.

But as with the UK, this leadership is still too rare. Outside the caucus, the overwhelming majority of U.S. lawmakers do not have a stated position on automation, despite the fact that robot installations are growing across every sector, and public anxiety over job displacement continues to rise.

Why It Matters: Automation Is Governance

The idea that elected officials need a formal robotics policy is not an abstraction. Consider these urgent areas of policymaking:

Workforce Resilience: As robots take on more manual, repetitive, or dangerous tasks, governments must ensure that workers are retrained, not replaced and forgotten. This means funding training programs, incentivizing apprenticeships in robotic maintenance and design, and supporting regional robotics education hubs.
Safety and Standards: As robots move out of factory cages and into human-facing roles—in warehouses, clinics, and public spaces—new safety frameworks are required. Legislators need to understand the standards work underway at bodies like ISO, IEEE, and ASTM and how those could be leveraged through policy and regulations.
Ethics and Equity: Automation must not reinforce inequality. Legislators have a responsibility to guide the use of robots in surveillance, hiring, or law enforcement, and to ensure data privacy, algorithmic fairness, and accessibility.
Industrial Policy: The global robotics race is underway. China has designated robotics as a strategic industry, investing heavily in both research and development (R&D) and mass production. Japan, Germany, and South Korea are also scaling fast. If Western democracies fail to coordinate their robotics policies, they risk falling behind in a domain that will define future economic power.
Infrastructure and Procurement: Government purchasing decisions can shape the market. Legislators can direct funding toward automation upgrades in schools, defense logistics, environmental cleanup, and elder care, creating both jobs and demand for responsible robotics development.

What Real Robotics Portfolios Might Look Like

If we take this seriously, what could actual robotics-focused portfolios in government look like?

Dedicated Cabinet Ministers or Secretaries: Much like the UK has a Secretary for Science, Innovation, and Technology, or the U.S. has a Secretary of Energy, nations should consider establishing government leadership roles for automation and emerging technologies.
Standing Committees or Task Forces: Legislatures could create permanent robotics committees to hold hearings, solicit public input, and draft forward-looking policy.
Local and Regional Liaisons: State governors, mayors, and regional development authorities should appoint automation leads to align local economies with the national strategy (if one is ever done).
Public-Private Collaboration Offices: Governments should establish interface agencies that bridge industry, academia, and civil society to manage automation transitions in a humane manner.

Conclusion: Representing a Robotic Future

We ask our elected officials to take positions on education, healthcare, defense, and energy, as these domains significantly shape our future. Robotics and automation now belong in that same list. The consequences of ignoring it are too great, and the opportunities of embracing it are too powerful.

The good news is that the path forward is visible. The work of leaders like John Slinger and Greg Clark in the UK, as well as the members of the U.S. Congressional Robotics Caucus, offers a model. They aren’t waiting for crises—they’re preparing for transformation.

It’s time we ask every legislator, in every country: What’s your robotics policy?

Because if they don’t have one yet, it’s already overdue.

Robot News Of The Week

Robot sales for the automotive industry remain high in Europe

Automation investment in Europe’s car industry remains high, with 23,000 industrial robots installed in 2024, the second-best year in five years. European automakers now account for about one-third of the region’s total manufacturing robot installations, outpacing North America’s 19,200 units.

Switzerland leads globally in robot density, with 3,876 robots per 10,000 workers, followed by several EU countries. Germany, Italy, and Spain remain Europe's top robot adopters, with Germany alone making up 30% of the continent’s installations.

Meanwhile, China has become the world’s automation leader, installing around 280,000 robots annually from 2021 to 2023. Its robot density hit 470 per 10,000 workers in 2023, surpassing Germany and Japan. With a new $137 billion investment plan, China aims to solidify its global dominance in robotics and AI.

Cartken, Stirling Ultracold partner for autonomous ultra-low temperature material transport

California-based Cartken and Stirling Ultracold have partnered to launch an autonomous solution for transporting ultra-cold materials across life sciences, healthcare, research, and industrial environments. The integration pairs Cartken’s autonomous Hauler robot with Stirling’s ULT25NEU freezer, enabling reliable transport of sensitive materials at temperatures as low as -86°C (-122.8°F). Designed to navigate both indoor and outdoor settings—including multi-level buildings using elevators—the system addresses the limitations of manual handling and fragmented automation in complex facilities. With wireless temperature monitoring, all-weather operation, and continuous mobility across sites, the solution aims to streamline cold-chain logistics for critical operations.

Friendly-faced H-E-B delivery robots take to Austin streets in pilot program
H-E-B is piloting friendly-looking autonomous delivery robots in Austin’s Mueller neighborhood, offering quick grocery delivery for up to 10 items within a one-mile radius. Created by Austin-based Avride, the robots operate daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and feature insulated compartments for hot, cold, and frozen goods.

Resident Chabeli Sanchez, who lives nearby and has several dogs, praised the service as a convenient alternative when she can’t leave home. The robots—already familiar in Mueller through prior restaurant deliveries—navigate sidewalks using LiDAR and cameras, and can run in rain or snow. Though H-E-B hasn’t announced expansion plans, the community response has been positive, with many appreciating the speed, accuracy, and novelty of the bots.

Robot Research In The News

Customizable soft robot modules allow for new haptic interactions

EPFL researchers have developed a customizable soft robotic system called Digits, which utilizes compressed air to create shape changes, vibrations, and tactile feedback. Designed by the Reconfigurable Robotics Lab, the system features modular components that can be configured into 16 different forms, including a wearable glove (TangiGlove) and a shape-shifting handheld device (TangiBall). These configurations encompass both open- and closed-chain structures, allowing for a wide range of haptic interactions. By simulating lifelike touch through air-powered actuation, Digits shows strong potential for virtual reality, rehabilitation, and interactive therapy. The team also enhanced the open-source Feelix software to enable touch-based, AI-driven interactions without coding. Future work will explore therapeutic applications and expand the system’s adaptability for real-time immersive environments.

Humanoid robot achieves controlled flight using jet engines and AI-powered systems

The Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) has successfully demonstrated the first flight of iRonCub3, the world’s first jet-powered humanoid robot designed for real-world environments. Developed over two years, the robot lifted off by ~50 cm while maintaining balance, marking a breakthrough in combining humanoid robotics with aerial mobility.

Equipped with four jet engines, AI-based control systems, and advanced aerodynamics modeling, iRonCub3 can perform controlled flight despite its complex, elongated structure. Developed with input from the Polytechnic of Milan and Stanford University, the robot uses real-time neural network models to maintain stability even during turbulent conditions.

The project, led by IIT’s Artificial and Mechanical Intelligence Lab, re-engineered the iCub3 humanoid with a titanium spine, heat shields, and precision thrust control. It represents a leap in multi-modal robotics, enabling potential future use in search-and-rescue, hazardous inspections, and unstructured terrain.

Further testing is planned at Genoa Airport in a specially equipped facility.

Robot Workforce Story Of The Week

Minnesota State to Offer Robotics Engineering, AI Degrees

Minnesota State University (MSU) is launching two new programs this fall to meet growing industry demand: the state’s first and only bachelor’s degree in robotics engineering and the first AI master’s program in the Minnesota State system.

The programs aim to train students in emerging technologies while addressing the workforce needs of sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, finance, and manufacturing. With strong interest already—13 AI applicants and expected total enrollment of 25 students across both programs—MSU hopes to keep talent in-state and prepare graduates for high-demand careers.

Students will gain hands-on experience and explore the ethical, legal, and social implications of robotics and AI, with an emphasis on industry-driven research and real-world application.

Robot Video Of The Week

Meet AEON — a humanoid robot developed by global technology leader Hexagon to help address labor shortages across a wide range of industries. Designed with advanced mobility and AI-driven perception, AEON is built to take on physically demanding and repetitive tasks that are increasingly difficult to staff.

According to Hexagon, AEON will begin operating in live industrial environments later this year, marking a significant step in the company's push to integrate intelligent robotics into real-world workflows. From manufacturing floors to logistics hubs, AEON is expected to support human workers while enhancing productivity, safety, and operational resilience.

As the demand for flexible automation grows, AEON represents Hexagon’s vision of scalable, human-centered robotics for the future of work.