Analyse the potential environmental benefits and drawbacks of implementing new age robotic systems, considering factors such as energy consumption, material usage, and waste generation.

The use of new age robotic systems can bring both environmental benefits and drawbacks:

Environmental benefits

• Better energy efficiency in use: Smart-home robots and devices (like automated thermostats and automated lighting) can save electricity by adjusting temperature settings and switching lights ON/OFF only when needed, reducing unnecessary energy use.
• Reduced material wastage: Robots used in warehouses and manufacturing perform tasks like picking, sorting, and packaging with high precision, which can reduce errors, rework, and extra material wastage.
• Lower travel-related pollution: Systems such as telepresence robots (remote consultation/monitoring) and smart mobility robots can reduce the need for repeated human travel in some cases, helping cut fuel use and emissions.

Environmental drawbacks

• Higher energy demand: Many robots operate for long hours and require continuous power for sensors, controllers, and motors, along with repeated battery charging, which can increase overall electricity consumption.
• High material usage during production: Building robotic systems needs advanced hardware like sensors, actuators, microcontrollers and embedded systems, which increases the use of metals, plastics, and electronic components.
• E-waste and battery waste: When robots become outdated or damaged, disposal can generate electronic waste (circuits, sensors, wiring) and battery waste. If recycling and safe disposal are not followed, this can harm the environment.