Sustainability is now an essential throughout sectors. The urgency to decarbonise, lower waste, and safeguard biodiversity has driven a rising trend toward circular economy models. Still, one question mostly unanswered is: what happens to robotic systems and warehouse automation infrastructure at the end of their operating life? This stands out even as we redesign product lifecycles in manufacturing, construction, fashion, and even electronics.
Robotics has long been synonymous with productivity and speed. However, its evolving role in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) makes it a vital part of the circular transition. Beyond performance, automation must now meet environmental and economic expectations. The future lies in circular robotics.
The traditional linear model of ‘make-use-dispose’ has hit its ecological limits. Circular economy models, in contrast, aim to close the loop by keeping resources in use for as long as possible. They distinguish between biological and technical material cycles. While organic materials biodegrade, technical materials like plastics, metals, and batteries accumulate waste. Robotics plays a crucial role in the latter.
Whether it is dismantling consumer electronics or segregating metals from industrial waste, robots can streamline high-precision tasks. Robotic arms equipped with vision systems help sort, segregate, and recycle components efficiently. When machines themselves are designed with modular parts, reuse and remanufacturing become simpler. Digital design tools and data-backed decision-making further support material recovery.
Despite this promise, circular design in robotics is still catching up. Most automation systems are optimised for throughput, not recovery. That is where principles like modularity, material minimalism, and traceability come in. Designing for circularity means building robots with easy-to-remove parts and standardised materials.
Concepts such as digital product passports offer traceability across the value chain, tracking every component’s source, lifespan, and recyclability. Material standardisation, in turn, enables efficient disassembly and processing. Robotics by itself can help in this process from the prototyping stage to the end-of-life management.
The integration of Industry 4.0 tools like AI, Internet of Things (IoT), and additive manufacturing into robotics is revealing fresh opportunities. Today, robots are being deployed in smart factories to monitor emissions, reduce water usage, and sort waste in real time. Longevity is improved and resource consumption is lowered by predictive analytics and remote diagnostics. 3D printing enables spare components to be created when needed, thereby avoiding surplus manufacturing. These synergies bring sustainability and savings together.
But real-world adoption has challenges. Robotic arms struggle to grasp soft or irregular objects. Sensors capable of high adaptability remain expensive. Waste streams are often too heterogeneous for current systems to manage efficiently. Robotic autonomy also has limitations. Collaborative robots, or cobots, offer a safer and more cost-effective bridge. These systems work alongside humans, combining dexterity with safety.
There are social and ethical dimensions as well. Circular robotics must address concerns around job displacement, resource consumption, and environmental justice. Responsible deployment and inclusive skilling are key.
According to a report, the global robotics market is set to grow from USD 22.75 billion in 2016 to USD 45.1 billion in 2028. Installations are increasing in waste management, automotive recycling, and electronics. These sectors are also among the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and waste. Robotics can drive material recovery and energy efficiency, advancing circular targets.
The shift from automation for productivity to automation for sustainability is underway. It is time to design automation for a second life. Circular robotics offers a chance for policy, academia, and business to come together around a shared objective. Future-ready systems must be modular, intelligent, and regenerative. Through continued research and development and global collaboration, the industry could enable a sustainable and circular future driven by automation.
