In a world marked by relentless technological innovation, there is a megatrend on the horizon that promises to reshape industries, revolutionize everyday life, and open up vast economic opportunities.

Anything that moves in the future will be autonomous! My team of foresight specialists at MarketsandMarkets have coined this as an Autonomous World – a Mega Trend that could be worth a $10+ trillion market across mobility, aerospace & defense, mining, construction, industrial, and other sectors.

This autonomous world encompasses a spectrum of possibilities, from self-driving cars and off-highway machinery to autonomous mining operations, autonomous factories, and even surgical tools within medical facilities. Anything with wheels, legs, or arms will be autonomous in the future. It is not a question of if but about when, and that train has already left the station.

An autonomous world is not a new phenomenon. It actually started somewhere in the 1st century BC when the first water wheels were invented. We as humans have been constantly trying to automate equipment, and it picked up pace during the Renaissance period. It came to fruition between the 1st and 2nd Industrial Revolution, with humans discovering molecules and, eventually, electrons. The word ‘automation’ was actually coined by none other than Ford Motor Company in the 1940s when it created an automation department. Developing electric and industrial feedback controllers was the critical driver for things getting semi-automated.

With the discovery of electro magnetic waves (that led to the invention of mobile phones eventually), IT and digital technology (which led to the invention of IoT), we now have a large number of semi-automated machines that work in our factories or even Space probes that fly around millions of miles exploring our solar system. With more and more productive labor constrictions across developed economies and the advent of more robotics, we are now moving to a Mega Trend of a fully autonomous world as we move from Narrow AI to General AI (AGI) The Mega Trend of the Autonomous World is driven by two other megatrends – the hyper-connected world and technology singularity.

Driving Forces

The hyper-connected world is set to become the backbone of autonomy. The convergence of 5G technology and Space Jam will play pivotal roles in propelling autonomy forward. With 5G, we are witnessing a reduced latency to unprecedented levels, a mere one microsecond. The anticipated evolution to 6G later in this decade promises further enhancement. The Space Jam revolution, on the other hand, offers dual benefits—enhanced global positioning systems and lightning-fast broadband speeds (in future same as 5G today), keeping our machines and cars out in the rural areas always connected. The synergy of these developments paves the way for seamless connectivity between machines to machines and machines to humans, enabling a new era of autonomous vehicles and devices.

Technology singularity, a concept where AI evolves from Narrow to General AI, is another driver of the autonomous world. The trajectory towards a fully autonomous world accelerates as we progress towards super AI. Although this transformation is not immediate and is expected to take 10 to 15 years, the journey is undeniable. This transition signifies a monumental shift from the semi-autonomous vehicles we see today to a future where complete autonomy is the norm.

In my pursuit of understanding and dissecting the complexities of this Autonomous World, I had the privilege of engaging in conversation with Karthikeyan (Karthik) Natarajan, the visionary CEO of Cyient, a company that’s at the forefront of enabling this transformative future. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to witness Karthik’s dedication to innovation and technology firsthand.

Pioneering the Autonomous Revolution

Karthik’s extensive experience and visionary leadership have positioned Cyient as a driving force behind the transition to an Autonomous World (In his short period , he has helped Cyient to be a technology led business machine)

As we delve deeper into the Autonomous World, we explore various facets of this burgeoning trend:

Karthik Natarajan, CEO Cyient

CYIENT

1. Trends Fueling the Autonomous Revolution

Karthik emphasized the profound impact of autonomy, not just in terms of decision-making but also as a catalyst for safety, reduced labor dependence, and increased productivity. The shift towards autonomy is set to significantly impact Western economies, where a shrinking workforce is becoming increasingly evident. One striking example is a mining customer in Chile who recently made a significant leap into autonomy. This customer invested in 200 autonomous trucks and established a Remote Observatory Center (ROC). While this center is focused on observation, it’s essential to note that the company still retains 200 human drivers on its trucks, along with 200 drivers in the ROC. These truck drivers now work in conjunction with the ROC, overseeing workflow, troubleshooting issues, and conducting unscheduled maintenance. This approach is part of a six-year journey that will gradually reduce human involvement by 50% at different stages. The ultimate goal is a fully remote operating setup, driven not just by cost but by a strong commitment to improving safety and productivity.

2. The Roadmap to Full Autonomy

Full autonomy will emerge, but it might still be a decade or more away. Where will we see it first? Autonomy might start in places you wouldn’t expect. The initial forays into autonomy could emerge in closed and restricted environments like mining, construction, agriculture, marine, space, and even the airside of airports. These environments are safer for machines to learn to be autonomous before they hit the roads. As Karthik said, “It’s an automation journey leading to autonomous. It translates in various forms in other industries. But I think that is definitely coming.”

3. Autonomy Across Industries

The conversation ventured into various sectors, demonstrating that autonomy is not limited to a particular domain. It encompasses a wide range of industries, from mining and construction to healthcare and transportation. The overarching goal is not to replace human workers but to enhance their capabilities. By reducing manual intervention, errors, and downtime, autonomy can significantly improve efficiency and operational reliability.

For instance, Karthik shared a compelling vision for heavy cranes and trucks in shipyards. Instead of merely selling equipment, companies could provide comprehensive solutions. This could include integrating autonomous features, predictive maintenance, workflow planning, and sophisticated communication systems. Such an approach has the potential to elevate productivity, reduce downtime, and ultimately reshape the way industries operate.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarwantsingh/2023/09/28/autonomous-world-a-10-trillion-market-opportunity/amp/