Road maps for robotics and automation [Industrial Activities]

You may wonder what a technology road map is and what purpose it would have. A technology road map is a plan to meet the short- and long-term goals with specific technology. The major benefits of a technology road map would be to 1) help funding agencies reaching a consensus on the set of future needs and the required technologies to meet them 2) devise a mechanism in forecasting technology development 3) develop a framework for planning and coordinating the technology development 4) inform the general public and society about where the robotics and automation is heading.