This development has the potential to reshape global manufacturing, enabling safer, smarter, and more flexible production.
At Com4, we see IoRT as a natural evolution of industrial IoT. Without secure, reliable, and low-latency connectivity, robotic systems cannot function effectively. That is why manufacturers across industries rely on Com4’s multi-network SIMs, LTE-M, NB-IoT, private 5G, and future-ready eSIM and iSIM solutions to power robotic IoT deployments. Whether enabling collaborative robots, mobile robots in warehouses, or cognitive machines on production lines, connectivity is the foundation for success.
Table of contents
What is the Internet of Robotic Things?
Why robotics and IoT are coming together
How IoRT differs from standard IoT
Practical use cases in manufacturing
Connectivity as the foundation of IoRT
The future of manufacturing with IoRT
What is the Internet of Robotic Things?
The Internet of Robotic Things refers to robots that are connected to the internet and equipped with IoT sensors, giving them the ability to collect and analyze data, interpret their surroundings, and respond to changes in real time. When combined with artificial intelligence and cloud computing, IoRT-enabled robots can make decisions on the spot, such as slowing down when a worker enters their workspace or adjusting grip strength to handle fragile components.
This represents a shift away from traditional robots that operate in isolation. IoRT systems are aware, adaptive, and integrated into wider industrial ecosystems, allowing them to work collaboratively with both people and machines. The outcome is a safer working environment, fewer errors, and greater efficiency in complex production environments.
Why robotics and IoT are coming together
The use of industrial robotics has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the need to increase efficiency and reduce costs. However, challenges such as safety risks, lack of flexibility, and labor shortages remain. IoT connectivity provides the missing piece of the puzzle.
By connecting robots to IoT networks, manufacturers can enhance workplace safety through real-time monitoring of movement and proximity. Data-driven insights allow for predictive maintenance, which reduces downtime and extends the lifespan of machinery. Connectivity also ensures that robots can operate reliably in industries struggling with staffing challenges, helping to maintain productivity levels even when skilled workers are scarce.
The economic argument is equally strong. Analysts predict that IoT technologies could add trillions of dollars in value to the global economy within the next decade. Integrating IoT with robotics ensures that manufacturers capture part of this opportunity by making their operations more intelligent and adaptive.
How IoRT differs from standard IoT
While both IoT and IoRT rely on connected devices and sensors, the distinction lies in autonomy and response. IoT devices gather data and transmit it for analysis, often requiring external systems to interpret and act. IoRT, on the other hand, brings intelligence directly into the robot.
For example, IoT sensors may detect vibration anomalies in a machine and send an alert to maintenance teams. In contrast, an IoRT-enabled robot can process this information locally and immediately adjust its operations, such as slowing down or pausing production, to prevent damage or accidents. This ability to act in real time is what sets IoRT apart and makes it so valuable in manufacturing environments.
Practical use cases in manufacturing
Collaborative robots, or cobots, are a prime example of IoRT in action. These robots are designed to operate safely alongside humans, stopping automatically if someone approaches. When connected via IoT, cobots become part of a wider production system, sharing data on performance and efficiency. One of Com4’s customers in the electronics sector relies on LTE-M connectivity to connect cobots handling delicate circuit boards. By combining IoT data with robotics, the cobots are able to adjust their grip strength automatically, reducing errors and breakage while increasing speed of assembly.
Mobile robots are increasingly common in warehouses and logistics centers. Equipped with IoT connectivity, these robots can dynamically reroute themselves when encountering obstacles, making them far more efficient than traditional pre-programmed machines. Com4 supports a logistics provider that uses multi-network SIMs to ensure its fleet of robots remains connected even in areas with poor coverage. With automatic roaming across cellular networks, the robots continue to operate smoothly without interruption.
In large-scale manufacturing, networked robots demonstrate the power of IoRT. Groups of connected robots can coordinate their actions in real time, ensuring synchronization across the production line. A European automotive manufacturer depends on Com4’s 5G network solution to provide ultra-low latency communication between dozens of robots. This secure, high-speed connectivity ensures precise coordination and minimizes costly downtime.
Cognitive robots represent the next stage of IoRT development. By combining IoT data, robotics, and artificial intelligence, these machines learn and adapt over time. In the food processing sector, one of Com4’s customers uses NB-IoT connectivity to power cognitive robots that monitor packaging lines. The robots analyze data on temperature, movement, and energy consumption to adjust operations in real time, minimizing waste and optimizing production efficiency.
Connectivity as the foundation of IoRT
The effectiveness of IoRT depends entirely on secure, reliable, and low-latency connectivity. Robots must be able to communicate with sensors, cloud platforms, and other machines without delay. This is where Com4 plays a critical role.
With multi-network IoT SIMs, Com4 ensures continuous connectivity even in challenging environments such as underground facilities or remote production sites. Our support for LTE-M and NB-IoT technologies provides strong indoor coverage and long battery life for IoRT sensors. For mission-critical operations, Com4 offers private LTE and 5G networks that deliver predictable performance, guaranteed availability, and high security.
As IoRT continues to scale globally, Com4 also provides future-ready solutions through eSIM and iSIM technology. This flexibility allows manufacturers to deploy robotic IoT solutions worldwide without the complexity of physical SIM cards, making it easier to expand and adapt as requirements evolve.
The future of manufacturing with IoRT
IoRT is quickly becoming a cornerstone of modern manufacturing. The combination of robotics and IoT enables companies to address workforce shortages, improve safety, optimize operations, and achieve measurable return on investment. For manufacturers under pressure to remain competitive while controlling costs, IoRT offers a powerful solution.
The question is not whether IoRT will become a standard part of manufacturing, but how soon. With robust and reliable IoT connectivity from Com4, manufacturers can confidently embrace the internet of robotic things and position themselves at the forefront of industrial innovation.
The internet of robotic things in manufacturing represents a fundamental shift in how production systems are designed and operated. Robots are no longer isolated machines; they are intelligent, connected, and capable of acting in real time. The benefits are clear: improved safety, greater efficiency, predictive insights, and enhanced competitiveness.
At Com4, we provide the IoT connectivity that makes this possible. From LTE-M and NB-IoT to 5G networks and global eSIM solutions, our expertise ensures that IoRT systems operate securely and reliably. The future of manufacturing will be defined by intelligent, connected robotics — and with Com4, manufacturers have the connectivity foundation to make that future a reality today.
