From autonomous machines in construction to wearable robotics in eldercare, robotics is transforming the physical economy, reshaping the future of work, defense, and human-machine interaction. Strategic leadership is needed to harness robotics innovation, strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and secure supply chains critical to national resilience.
From handling hazardous tasks, enhancing mobility, and enabling precision in fields from healthcare to manufacturing, robots are extending what humans can achieve. Breakthroughs in AI, haptics, and soft robotics are driving innovations that improve safety, expand access, and support economic growth. Yet as robotics technology scales, so do the challenges: dependence on global supply chains, shifts in workforce demands, and unresolved questions about liability and data security. With targeted investment and sound policy, the U.S. can close the robotics gap, converting technological potential into national strength across labor, infrastructure, and sustainability.
RELATED SOURCES:
- Learn more about emerging technologies and the Stanford Emerging Technology Review (SETR).
- Read SETR Chapter on Robotics.
Allison Okamura
Professor of Mechanical EngineeringAllison Okamura is the Richard M. Weiland Professor of mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering and professor, by courtesy, of computer science at Stanford University. She is a deputy director of the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, affiliated faculty at Stanford Bio-X and Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute, and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Her research interests include haptics, teleoperation, mixed reality, and medical and soft robotics. She received her PhD in mechanical engineering from Stanford University.