NCQM Annual Day Function
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The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the National Centre for Quality Management (NCQM) was held in Mumbai today, 26 September 2026, along with the Annual Day Function. Dr. Santosh B. Rane, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai, was the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the function. Dr. Rane delivered his keynote address on “Human-Robot Collaboration in Industry 5.0-Enabled Manufacturing.”
NCQM Annual Day Function – proceedings in progress
From Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 - Dr. Santosh B. Rane explained the distinction between Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. While Industry 4.0 places considerable emphasis on Automation, IoT, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Smart Machines, Industry 5.0 gives greater importance to Human-centricity, Sustainability and Resilience.
Dr. Santosh B. Rane delivering his Keynote Address
Human + Robot = Collaboration - While discussing Industry 5.0, Dr. Rane highlighted an important concept: Human + Robot = Collaboration — not Competition. The objective should not be to replace human beings with robots, but to enable robots to work collaboratively with humans.
He explained that human capabilities such as Creativity, Judgement, Flexibility and Problem-solving can be combined with the capabilities of robots such as Precision, Strength, Speed and Consistency. Such complementary capabilities can help achieve better outcomes in manufacturing.
Dr. Santosh B. Rane with NCQM office-bearers and members
Collaborative Robots – Cobots - Dr. Rane also discussed Collaborative Robots (Cobots). Cobots are designed to work safely alongside human workers in shared workspaces. They can be used for a variety of applications such as Assembly, Inspection and Material Handling.
Role of AI and Smart Technologies - He highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Machine Vision and Sensors in Human-Robot Collaboration. According to Dr. Rane, future robots will increasingly move beyond simply following pre-programmed instructions. With the help of AI and other smart technologies, they can become more adaptive and respond more effectively to changing situations while working alongside humans.
People, Safety, Ethics and Trust - Industry 5.0 is not merely about technology. People and their capabilities remain central to its successful implementation. Dr. Rane emphasized the importance of skill development, training, employee wellbeing and change management. He also discussed Safety, Ethics and Trust in Human-Robot Collaboration. When humans and robots operate in the same workspace, aspects such as Collision Avoidance, Risk Assessment and Functional Safety become particularly important. He aptly stated: “Trust is earned through safe, ethical and reliable collaboration.”
Process and Workflow Redesign - Another important point highlighted by Dr. Rane was that simply installing robots does not make an organization Industry 5.0-ready. Human and robot capabilities and responsibilities need to be considered while redesigning processes and workflows. Instead of merely adding technology to an existing process, organizations may need to redesign the workflow so that the complementary capabilities of humans and machines can be effectively utilized.
A Challenge for India - In response to a question, Dr. Santosh B. Rane observed that large industries in India have adopted Industry 4.0, but moving from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 remains a significant challenge. This transition requires attention not only to technology, but also to people, skills, processes, safety and organizational readiness.
Summary
In summary, the fundamental idea of Industry 5.0 can be expressed as “Technology for Humans.” It seeks to combine the capabilities of intelligent machines with human skills, creativity and judgement to develop manufacturing that is more quality-oriented, safe, sustainable and resilient.
I found the keynote address particularly useful because it provided an opportunity to understand Industry 5.0 by bringing together the four important dimensions of Technology, People, Process and Quality. The Chief Guest was welcomed and introduced by Shri Santosh Khadagade, President, NCQM. I participated in the programme online and had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Rane's keynote address.
Regards,
Keshav Ram Singhal
About National Centre for Quality Management (NCQM) - Readers interested in learning more about the National Centre for Quality Management (NCQM) may visit its official website. Information about the organization, its activities and membership can be obtained there. The Membership Brochure is also available on the website.
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