While a robot is a machine designed to sense, process, act, and communicate, automation refers to technology that executes tasks with minimal human input; enabling the functioning of robots, as well as reasoning and decision-making systems. Driven by profound progress in engineering design, materials science, advanced machine intelligence, and advanced communication networks, robots and automation will increasingly enter many, if not all, industries beyond the automotive, manufacturing, supply chain logistics, and services sectors. This will provide opportunities for efficiency and innovation although there will also be ethical and societal challenges.