Beyond the robot: Shaping the future of autonomous operations - The Robot Report

The article "Beyond the robot: Shaping the future of autonomous operations" from The Robot Report highlights a significant evolution in the role of autonomous robots in industrial settings, as exemplified by ANYbotics’ ANYmal robot used for gas-leak detection and thermal inspections. At the ANYbotics Industry Forum (AIF) 2025, industry leaders and customers shared insights emphasizing a shift from focusing solely on robotic mobility and autonomy to leveraging the data intelligence, workflow integration, and human-robot collaboration that these systems enable. Real-world examples, such as a metals industry customer using ANYmal for thermal inspections to prevent furnace failures, demonstrate how robotics can scale operations, enhance safety, and generate substantial cost savings—over $1 million by avoiding downtime in this case. The article identifies three key takeaways defining the next phase of autonomous operations. First, it introduces the concept of Industry 5.0, which emphasizes a human-centric approach where robots handle repetitive, risky tasks, allowing workers to focus on