The strategic session "Automation and Robotics — the basis of industrial growth" was devoted to this topic
Rostec State Corporation brought together representatives of industry and the expert community at the strategic session "Automation and Robotics — the basis of industrial growth." The central topic of discussion was the development of "dark industries" — enterprises where robots and digital systems take over key processes.: from assembly to quality control, minimizing human involvement.
The strategic session was held at the State University of Management (GUU) with the support of RT-Techpriemka (part of Rostec), the Ministry of Education and Science and the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia.
Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, has repeatedly noted the strategic importance of developing "dark industries." At the same time, experts emphasized the role of personnel: the growth of labor productivity is provided by specialists who are able to manage complex automated systems.
The development of this area is linked to the goals of the national project "Means of production and automation". By 2030, it is planned to reach two targets: the density of robotics is 145 robots per 10,000 employees, and the level of technological independence in the production of means of production is 95%. Rostec performs a dual role here: it simultaneously acts as both a customer and a developer of technological solutions.
On behalf of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the state corporations are developing plans to transfer enterprises to the "dark industries" mode. "The President has set the task of large-scale automation and robotization of the industry. We must look ahead and assess what production will be like in the future — this is the key to sustainable development. "Dark production" is one of the key elements of increasing labor productivity and achieving technological leadership. We are already making all five main types of industrial robots, including autonomous ones capable of operating in unpopulated areas. By 2050, industry in key sectors will be highly autonomous systems where the role of humans is reduced to design, configuration and control," said Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
"In 2025, our labor productivity increased by more than 20%, including due to robotization and automation of production. Our task is not to passively observe the future, but to design it ourselves: to develop our own technologies, train personnel for new industries and create products with high added value. Those who understand this and act proactively will win in the end," said Sergey Chemezov, head of Rostec State Corporation.
A number of enterprises within the Rostec State Corporation are already implementing such projects. Thus, a machining complex with an area of 50 thousand square meters, including 180 pieces of equipment integrated into automated lines, will be created at the plant of the United Aircraft Corporation. The Rostec waste energy recovery plant operates in a highly automated mode: under digital control, not only the incineration process itself, but also the management of the engineering infrastructure. Individual KAMAZ sites are already demonstrating a level of robotization above the target targets: there is about one robot per six people, and in individual workshops machines do the main work — people are left with the functions of operators.
At the same time, the introduction of "dark industries" is fraught with serious challenges. That is why cooperation between science and business became the main leitmotif of the session.
"Automation and robotics are primarily needed in areas where mass production, high repeatability of operations and staff shortages are common: aircraft manufacturing, automotive, metalworking, electronics and warehouse logistics. But technologies are not implemented on their own — this requires the joint work of scientists, manufacturers and customers. Rostec is ready to be a link: to integrate into cooperative chains, help them form and bring developments from idea to implementation in real production," said Elena Druzhinina, moderator of the discussion, Managing Director for Science and Business Cooperation at Rostec State Corporation.
Among the key scientific topics where science can help industrial enterprises in the development of robotics, experts named algorithms and AI. Special attention was paid to the robotization of non-standard operations in aviation, engine building and defense production, where a large number of small-scale processes remain. Digital twins and modeling, new sensors and actuators are also among the promising areas. In addition, the experts noted the need to study the economics of robotics and the development of industrial aesthetics in an automated production environment.
"The development of robotics requires not only a technological base, but also specialists of a new formation who understand the entire cycle of creation and operation of automated production facilities. So, in 2026, together with Moscow Poly, we launched three additional professional education programs: for managers, engineers and production staff — from strategic management to the design, programming and operation of robotic systems. We will continue to work in this direction, expanding the possibilities of training specialists for the real tasks of the industry. This approach allows us to create a human resource base for scaling automation at the Corporation's enterprises," said Vladlen Shorin, CEO of RT—Techpriemka.
Automation and robotics are of particular importance for the development of regions. Kaluga Region is one of the leading regions for the introduction of industrial robots, and its experience confirms that automation directly affects key performance indicators of enterprises. In his greeting to the participants of the strategic session, Kaluga Region Governor Vladislav Shapsha emphasized: "Now the region confidently holds the position of one of the leaders in the field of industrial robotics. This is due to the well-coordinated work of the teams, the high level of competence of specialists and, most importantly, the well-established mechanisms of interaction between science and production. The Kaluga Region is open to pilot projects and is ready to provide platforms for testing new developments and scaling the most successful practices."
In the demonstration area, the guests of the strategic session were able to get acquainted with the latest Russian solutions for automation and robotization of production. The exhibition combines a wide range of technologies, from intelligent control and monitoring systems to modern industrial robots and digital platforms. Universities, including RTU MIREA, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, STANKIN Moscow State Technical University, and industrial enterprises presented their solutions.
Special attention was drawn to the collaborative robots (cobots) of the DOKA brand from ROBOPRO, a technology partner of Rostec State Corporation. These devices effectively cope with typical production tasks: they control product quality, apply materials, transport parts, and automate other repetitive operations.
The demonstration site was organized by the Competence Center of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.
An important outcome of the event was the opening of the country's first Center for Integrated Engineering and Intelligent Robotics of Production Systems on the basis of GUU. It will become a single assembly point for automation and robotics solutions: it will not only develop and implement projects for production lines and production sites, but also train and improve staff skills. Industrial enterprises will be able to formulate tasks, and teams of students, graduate students and teachers will be able to propose and implement ready—made solutions.
