The robots are coming. No, wait… they’re already here!
The robots are coming. No, wait… they’re already here!
We’ve all heard the phrase, “The robots are coming”. Short, dramatic, and evocative, it suggests either an invasion or a revolution… or maybe both?
You know a phrase has hit a nerve when it shows up in TED Talks, business keynotes, and even on protest signs. “The robots are coming” is one of those loaded lines that people love to fear. It’s catchy, sure, but it also carries an emotional charge that cuts deep. And now, after my recent trip to Dortmund to judge the IFOY Award 2025, I’m here to confirm that the robots are no longer just coming: they’re here, they’re busy, and they’re getting smarter.
The scare factor
Unfortunately, “the robots are coming” sounds scary. Why? Well, the phrase taps into our collective anxiety on multiple levels.
Firstly, there’s technological disruption. We’re in an age where machines are rapidly learning to do things we thought only humans could do: drive, write, serve, deliver, and more. From chatbots and autonomous vehicles to warehouse robots and medical diagnostics, technology is changing everything; that’s both exciting and terrifying. Think of the automotive industry: assembly lines that once employed thousands now rely on industrial robot arms to do repetitive tasks with precision. In journalism, AI tools are beginning to write sports summaries and market reports faster than any human. Even legal firms are using AI to scan through mountains of case documents.
Secondly, science fiction hasn’t done us any favours. From The Terminator to I, Robot, pop culture has painted robots as a looming threat. These stories live rent-free in our heads and shape how we react to real-world advances. The idea that robots might one day “rise up” isn’t just a sci-fi trope; it’s a cultural undercurrent that breeds suspicion every time a new humanoid robot gets rolled out.
Then there’s the job market fear. We’ve all seen those headlines: “Robots are coming for your job.” Whether it’s self-service tills replacing cashiers, AI bots reducing the need for customer service agents, or warehouse robots automating manual sorting and packing, the threat feels personal. A study by Oxford Economicssuggests that up to 20 million manufacturing jobs worldwide could be lost to robots by 2030. That’s not just a figure; it’s families, livelihoods, communities that could be shattered.
A robotic future – here and now
Does this mean that we should be terrified of robots? Based on what I saw during my recent trip to Dortmund, Germany, my answer would have to be no.
I travelled to the city famous for its football team not to watch them play, but rather to get a sneak peek into our robotic future. As a judge at this year’s International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Award, I got a front-row seat to the future of industrial robotics. The number of entries involving robots was staggering – and impressive.
What stood out immediately was how seamlessly robots are being integrated into real-world operations. What we saw weren’t just clever prototypes or showroom gimmicks. These are working systems, deployed and delivering value. One experience that stuck with me was seeing a video of a group of robots at work in a warehouse simulation – moving with the precision and grace of a ballet troupe, albeit one obsessed with logistics. It was both surreal and thrilling.
Take, for example, the project by Geekplus at Dr. Max in Italy. Some 50 picking robots manage thousands of products, scooting around a high-tech warehouse like futuristic ants. Add in 22 RoboShuttles storing items double deep, and you have a system that processes over 200 totes per hour. It’s fast, smart, and ruthlessly efficient.
At Wildeboer Bauteile in Germany, Jungheinrich is automating the “last mile” of internal logistics. Mobile robots transport goods around the production floor, controlled by a fleet management system so sophisticated it can integrate third-party robots. That’s interoperability in action.
Then there’s Verity’s autonomous inventory system, used by none other than Ikea (or, more precisely, Ingka Group). It runs 24/7, saving around 800,000 labour hours per year. That’s not a typo. Eight hundred thousand. I imagined what the Verity system would sound like. I couldn’t help but think that this is what the future sounds like – not roaring engines, but the soft whir of optimisation.
Other finalists included robotic warehouse systems like Exotec’s Skypod and the Geekplus SkyCube, and mobile robots from STILL and Logitrans. These aren’t tech demos – they’re live, industrial solutions already in use. And judging them wasn’t easy. The innovation, engineering, and efficiency on display made this one of the most exciting judging panels on which I’ve served.
Why robots are (mostly) good
So yes, robots can be good – and there’s no question that robot adoption is exploding, especially in developed economies. In places like Germany, Japan, and the US, labour shortages and high wages make automation not just desirable but necessary. In those contexts, robots fill gaps, boost productivity, and allow humans to focus on tasks that require creativity, judgement, and a human touch.
Humanoid robots, in particular, are being pushed hard by automotive giants like BMW, Hyundai, and (brace yourself) Tesla – which, I know, is basically a swear word in some circles. But love or loathe the brand, it’s undeniable they’re driving innovation. Tesla’s Optimus robot has already been deployed in pilot roles on factory floors, performing repetitive tasks like moving parts across the plant, while Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics acquisition continues to push boundaries in warehouse mobility.
According to a new IDTechEx report, “Humanoid Robots 2025-2035: Technologies, Markets and Opportunities”, we could see 1.6 million humanoid robots in the automotive sector alone by 2035. In warehouses, early adopters are already realising gains: Amazon’s Proteus robots navigate fulfilment centres autonomously, and JD.com in China runs partially unmanned distribution hubs where human workers are a rarity.
In retail, robots like Tally are scanning shelves in real time to track inventory, while in hospitals, robots are delivering medicine and lab samples – freeing up nurses for more patient-facing duties.
But what about South Africa?
Here, things are more complicated. With unemployment sitting at worryingly high levels, it’s not clear whether robots are the answer or not. In fact, they might exacerbate the problem if introduced too hastily. Automation can widen inequality if it’s not accompanied by upskilling, retraining, and robust social safety nets.
That said, there are niche areas – like warehousing, mining, and ports – where automation can make a real difference. At the Port of Durban, for example, automated systems are already being trialled to improve efficiency and reduce congestion. In mining, autonomous haul trucks and drilling systems have the potential to increase safety and reduce costs in hazardous environments.
The key is balance: using robots where they make economic and operational sense, without displacing workers who have no fallback. South Africa’s focus must be on integrating automation with social and educational development to ensure inclusive progress.
We also need to bear in mind that machines aren’t always the best for every task. I hosted a fascinating panel discussion during the IFOY Award test days, and as Arjan Van Zanten – VP automation Europe at EP Equipment – noted, there is a growing market for hybrid solutions whereby robots or automated equipment and people work hand-in-hand. “We will still need people, because people are very flexible and it’s impossible to automate everything people can do,” he pointed out.
So, yes, the robots are here. But we get to choose how we work with them.
If Dortmund showed me anything, it’s that the future is already being built. It’s up to us to make sure it’s a future worth living in.
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