KUKA Appoints Former Intel Executive Roshni Das as Managing Director for India

KUKA has appointed Roshni Das as Managing Director of its India operations, effective October 1, 2026. Das will lead KUKA India and KUKA Systems India, moving into industrial automation and robotics after nearly two decades in technology and marketing leadership at Intel.

Das announced the appointment on LinkedIn, describing the move as a transition into robotics at a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly moving from digital environments into physical machines. She highlighted Physical AI, where AI works with machines, sensors, software and robotics, as an area of growing interest.

From Intel to Industrial Robotics

Das spent nearly 19 years at Intel, holding leadership positions across marketing, sales, partner enablement and global marketing innovation. Her roles included Vice President, Global Marketing Innovation, India marketing leadership and APJ-level responsibilities.

Her move to KUKA represents a shift from semiconductor and technology marketing into industrial automation, where robotics, AI and software are becoming increasingly interconnected.

KUKA describes this broader transformation as “Automation 2.0,” reflecting the industry's movement beyond traditional programmed automation toward systems capable of perceiving, deciding and acting in physical environments.

Focus on India’s Robotics and Automation Market

As Managing Director, Das will oversee KUKA's Indian businesses at a time when manufacturing and automation are gaining greater attention across the country.

In her LinkedIn announcement, Das pointed to India's expanding manufacturing sector, growing support for automation, and its engineering and software talent as important factors behind her decision to join KUKA.

Her responsibilities will extend across KUKA's India business, bringing together its industrial robotics, automation and manufacturing activities.

Physical AI Connects Software and Machines

The appointment comes as the robotics industry increasingly explores how AI can enable machines to understand environments, make decisions and perform tasks with greater adaptability.

For Das, this represents a shift from AI primarily operating in the digital world toward AI interacting with the physical world through robots, sensors and machines.

The development also connects Das with KUKA Group CEO Christoph Schell, who previously held senior leadership roles at Intel before joining KUKA. Schell became KUKA Group CEO in 2025.

KUKA’s Next Phase in India

Das's appointment places technology-sector leadership experience at the helm of KUKA's India operations as robotics and AI increasingly converge.

For the Indian robotics ecosystem, her transition from Intel to KUKA also reflects the growing overlap between semiconductors, artificial intelligence, software, robotics and industrial automation.

As KUKA develops its Automation 2.0 strategy, its India business will operate within a market where manufacturers are increasingly exploring intelligent automation and AI-enabled production systems.