1. Introduction: The Age of Automation
In the last two decades, technology has revolutionized every corner of business and daily life. What once required human effort — entering data, copying files, verifying reports — can now be handled automatically by software bots. These digital workers can perform tasks 24/7, without fatigue, errors, or complaints.
This revolution is driven by Robotic Process Automation (RPA) — a technology that lets computers mimic human actions on digital systems. From banks processing thousands of transactions to hospitals handling patient records, RPA has become a foundation of modern business efficiency.
However, until recently, most RPA platforms were proprietary, expensive, and closed-source. Tools like UiPath, Blue Prism, and Automation Anywhere dominated the market but limited developer flexibility. That changed when Robocorp entered the scene — offering an open-source, Python-based RPA platform that combines the power of traditional automation with the flexibility of programming.
This article explores that world — what RPA is, how Robocorp works, how to build bots, and why open-source automation is shaping the future of intelligent work.
2. What Is RPA (Robotic Process Automation)?
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) refers to using software robots (“bots”) to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks that humans perform on computers.
Imagine you have an employee who logs into a website daily, downloads an Excel file, copies some numbers into another system, and sends a report by email. With RPA, you can train a bot to do that — faster and error-free.
🧩 Key Concept: Mimicking Human Actions
Unlike traditional automation (which connects systems via APIs or backend logic), RPA operates at the user interface (UI) level — just like a human would. Bots can:
- Click buttons
- Type into forms
- Read data from PDFs
- Copy and paste between applications
- Interact with browsers, Excel, databases, and more
This makes RPA extremely valuable for legacy systems that lack APIs or modern integration options.
💡 Common RPA Use Cases
| Industry | Examples of RPA Automation |
|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | Invoice processing, reconciliation, report generation |
| Healthcare | Patient data entry, insurance verification |
| HR | Payroll, onboarding, compliance updates |
| Retail | Inventory management, order processing |
| Customer Service | Email routing, ticket categorization |
| IT Operations | User provisioning, system monitoring |
RPA reduces human error, speeds up processes, and allows employees to focus on creative or analytical work instead of repetitive tasks.
3. The Evolution of RPA: From Legacy Tools to Open Source
RPA started in the early 2000s with enterprise tools like Blue Prism. It offered a “visual drag-and-drop” interface to automate workflows without coding. Later came UiPath and Automation Anywhere, which added more sophistication, AI integrations, and enterprise-level orchestration.
However, these tools shared common limitations:
- High licensing costs — often priced per bot or per user.
- Closed ecosystems — developers couldn’t freely extend or integrate custom Python or JavaScript code.
- Complex deployment — requiring enterprise servers and administrators.
As Python became the most popular automation language, the developer community started exploring open-source RPA — automation that’s scriptable, portable, and transparent.
That’s where Robocorp entered.
4. What Is Robocorp?
Robocorp is a company and open-source platform that provides the tools to build, run, and manage software robots using Python and the Robot Framework ecosystem.
It bridges the gap between low-code RPA and traditional scripting — giving developers a structured yet flexible environment for building robust automations.
🏢 A Brief History
Robocorp was founded in 2019 by Antti Karjalainen in Finland. The company’s mission is simple:
“To democratize RPA by making it open, developer-friendly, and affordable for everyone.”
Since its launch, Robocorp has gained attention from both enterprises and developers because it combines:
- Open-source tools (no licensing costs)
- Python flexibility (build custom logic)
- Cloud orchestration (Control Room for deployment)
5. Robocorp’s Ecosystem: The Core Components
Robocorp isn’t a single tool — it’s a complete ecosystem of components that work together for end-to-end RPA development.
🧰 1. Robocorp Code (VS Code Extension)
This is the official VS Code plugin that allows you to create, test, and debug robots directly in Visual Studio Code.
It provides templates, syntax highlighting, and integrated Control Room connections.
💻 2. Robocorp Lab (Legacy)
Previously, Robocorp offered a standalone desktop IDE called Robocorp Lab. It has since been replaced by the more flexible Robocorp Code extension.
☁️ 3. Control Room
This is Robocorp’s cloud orchestration platform. It lets you:
- Deploy and schedule robots
- Manage credentials and environments
- Track logs and bot performance
- Trigger bots via API or webhook
Think of it as the “mission control” for your digital workforce.
📦 4. RPA Framework Libraries
These are open-source Python libraries built specifically for automation.
Examples include:
RPA.Browser.Playwright→ for browser automationRPA.Excel.Files→ for Excel automationRPA.PDF→ for extracting data from PDFsRPA.Email.ImapSmtp→ for handling emails
Each library is modular and can be used directly in Python scripts or Robot Framework tasks.
6. Robocorp, Robot Framework, and RPA Framework — How They Connect
One key strength of Robocorp is how it builds upon Robot Framework, an established open-source tool originally developed for test automation.
⚙️ Robot Framework
- A generic automation framework written in Python.
- Uses human-readable syntax like:
*** Tasks ***
Open Website
Open Browser https://example.com Chrome
Input Text username admin
Input Text password 1234
Click Button login
This made it ideal for business process automation as well.
🤝 RPA Framework
Robocorp extends Robot Framework with the RPA Framework — a collection of Python libraries and tools built for RPA-specific tasks: file handling, email, browser control, Excel, PDF, etc.
🧩 Python Integration
Developers can freely mix Robot Framework syntax with Python code:
from RPA.Excel.Files import Files
excel = Files()
excel.open_workbook("data.xlsx")
data = excel.read_worksheet_as_table("Sheet1")
excel.close_workbook()
This hybrid flexibility gives Robocorp a major advantage — low-code syntax for simple users, and full Python scripting for advanced ones.
7. How Robocorp RPA Works: The Internal Architecture
Let’s look at how a Robocorp robot project is structured.
📁 Project Structure Example
my-robot/
│
├── tasks.robot
├── variables.yaml
├── libraries/
│ ├── custom.py
│
├── output/
│ ├── log.html
│ ├── report.html
│
├── conda.yaml
└── robot.yaml
tasks.robot→ main entry file (contains automation steps)conda.yaml→ defines Python dependenciesrobot.yaml→ describes task metadata for Control Roomlibraries/→ your custom Python codeoutput/→ logs and reports
🧠 Execution Flow
- Define the automation logic in
.robotor.pyfiles. - Run locally using Robocorp Code or the CLI.
- Test and debug logs in
output/log.html. - Upload to Control Room for scheduling and remote execution.
8. Setting Up Robocorp (Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners)
Let’s go through the setup process.
🪜 Step 1: Install VS Code and Robocorp Extension
Download Visual Studio Code and install the Robocorp Code extension from the marketplace.
🪜 Step 2: Install Python
Ensure Python 3.8+ is installed and added to your PATH.
🪜 Step 3: Create a New Robot Project
Open the Command Palette in VS Code → choose “Robocorp: Create Robot” → select a template such as “Browser Automation.”
This creates a folder with a pre-configured robot.yaml, conda.yaml, and task file.
🪜 Step 4: Run Your Robot Locally
Use the VS Code “Run Robot” button — the output log appears in the terminal or browser.
🪜 Step 5: Connect to Control Room
Sign up at robocorp.com, create a workspace, and link your robot for cloud execution.
You can now schedule, trigger via API, and monitor execution remotely.
9. Example: Building Your First Robocorp RPA Bot
Let’s automate a simple business process — extracting invoice data from emails and storing it in Excel.
🧩 Step 1: Define the Workflow
- Connect to an email inbox.
- Download PDF attachments.
- Extract key data (invoice number, date, total).
- Append the data to an Excel file.
💻 Step 2: Example Code (Python)
from RPA.Email.ImapSmtp import ImapSmtp
from RPA.PDF import PDF
from RPA.Excel.Files import Files
# Connect to email
email = ImapSmtp()
email.connect("imap.gmail.com", "myemail@gmail.com", "mypassword")
# Search and download attachments
emails = email.list_messages(criteria="UNSEEN")
for msg in emails:
attachments = email.save_attachments(msg)
for file in attachments:
pdf = PDF()
data = pdf.get_text_from_pdf(file)
# extract fields from text (simplified)
print("Extracted:", data)
# Save to Excel
excel = Files()
excel.create_workbook("invoices.xlsx")
excel.append_rows_to_worksheet([["Invoice001", "2025-10-01", "$300"]])
excel.save_workbook()
⚙️ Step 3: Schedule in Control Room
Upload your bot to Control Room → Create a process → Set it to run daily → Monitor output and logs online.
10. Why Developers Love Robocorp
- 🐍 Python-based: Build custom logic easily.
- 💸 Free & open-source: No license fees.
- 🧩 Modular libraries: Reusable across projects.
- ☁️ Cloud orchestration: Built-in scheduling and monitoring.
- 🧠 Integrates with AI: You can use Python ML/AI libraries for intelligent automation.
Robocorp bridges the gap between low-code RPA tools and true developer-grade automation frameworks.
11. Comparing Robocorp with Traditional RPA Tools
| Feature | Robocorp | UiPath | Blue Prism | Automation Anywhere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Python | Visual | Visual | Visual |
| Pricing | Free / Open Source | Expensive | Enterprise only | Enterprise only |
| Flexibility | Very High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Deployment | Cloud or Local | Cloud/On-Prem | On-Prem | Cloud |
| Custom Code | Full Python Support | Limited | None | Partial |
| Community | Growing Fast | Mature | Moderate | Moderate |
Robocorp stands out because it gives developers full freedom and businesses a cost-effective path to automation.
12. Advanced Capabilities in Robocorp RPA
After building your first robot, you’ll quickly discover that Robocorp is not just about automating clicks and keystrokes. Its strength lies in deep Python integration and rich libraries that let you handle complex end-to-end processes.
12.1 Browser Automation with Playwright and Selenium
Robocorp supports both Playwright and Selenium for browser control.
Playwright is faster, headless-friendly, and works across Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit.
Example (Playwright):
from RPA.Browser.Playwright import Playwright
browser = Playwright()
browser.open_browser("https://example.com", headless=True)
browser.click("text=Login")
browser.fill_text("#username", "admin")
browser.fill_text("#password", "1234")
browser.click("button[type=submit]")
browser.screenshot("output/page.png")
browser.close_browser()
12.2 Working with Excel and Databases
Automation often involves manipulating spreadsheets or databases.
from RPA.Excel.Files import Files
from RPA.Database import Database
excel = Files()
excel.open_workbook("sales.xlsx")
data = excel.read_worksheet_as_table("Q1")
excel.close_workbook()
db = Database()
db.connect_to_database("sqlite", database="data.db")
for row in data:
db.query("INSERT INTO sales VALUES (?, ?, ?)", tuple(row.values()))
db.disconnect_from_database()
12.3 PDF Processing and Document Automation
Using RPA.PDF, you can extract structured data from invoices, contracts, or reports.
from RPA.PDF import PDF
pdf = PDF()
content = pdf.get_text_from_pdf("invoice.pdf")
print(content)
Combine this with regular expressions or AI OCR (Tesseract, Azure Vision) for document understanding.
12.4 Email and API Automation
Bots can read emails, send notifications, or call REST APIs.
from RPA.Email.ImapSmtp import ImapSmtp
from RPA.HTTP import HTTP
email = ImapSmtp()
email.connect("imap.gmail.com", "user@gmail.com", "password")
messages = email.list_messages(criteria="UNSEEN")
api = HTTP()
for msg in messages:
body = email.get_message_text(msg)
api.post("https://api.company.com/tickets", json={"message": body})
12.5 Integrating AI and Machine Learning
Because Robocorp runs pure Python, you can import transformers, scikit-learn, OpenAI, or TensorFlow directly.
For example, sentiment analysis on incoming customer emails before routing them to agents.
from transformers import pipeline
sentiment = pipeline("sentiment-analysis")
result = sentiment("The delivery was late and support was unhelpful.")
print(result)
13. Real-World Use Cases of Robocorp RPA
13.1 Finance and Accounting
- Invoice digitization and posting to ERP.
- Bank statement reconciliation.
- Automated expense approvals.
13.2 Human Resources and Payroll
- Onboarding employees by creating accounts and sending welcome emails.
- Generating monthly payslips from HR databases.
- Updating compliance forms and tracking training completion.
13.3 Healthcare and Insurance
- Extracting patient data from forms and uploading to EHR systems.
- Automating claims validation.
- Scheduling appointment reminders via email or SMS.
13.4 Customer Support Automation
- Reading incoming emails and auto-creating tickets in Zendesk or Freshdesk.
- Summarizing ticket content using AI and tagging priority levels.
13.5 IT and Operations
- Monitoring server logs and creating alerts.
- Resetting passwords or creating user accounts via API calls.
- Regular back-ups and system health reports.
14. Best Practices for Developing Robocorp RPA Bots
14.1 Write Reusable Code
Organize your robots into modules and libraries.
Example structure:
automation_suite/
├─ tasks/
│ ├─ invoices.robot
│ ├─ payroll.robot
├─ libraries/
│ ├─ email_utils.py
│ ├─ pdf_utils.py
└─ resources/
├─ variables.yaml
14.2 Use Version Control
Integrate Git and GitHub or GitLab for tracking changes and collaboration.
Each robot should have its own repository and CI/CD workflow.
14.3 Credentials and Security
Never hard-code passwords. Use Control Room’s Vault or environment variables.
Encrypt sensitive files and audit access regularly.
14.4 Error Handling and Logging
Every bot should log its actions and recover from failures.
try:
run_main_process()
except Exception as e:
logger.error(f"Process failed: {e}")
send_alert_email(str(e))
14.5 Testing and Debugging
- Use unit tests for Python components.
- Run robots locally before uploading to Control Room.
- Review
output/log.htmlfor detailed traces.
14.6 Scalability and Performance
Schedule robots in parallel or on multiple workers to handle large volumes.
Leverage Robocorp’s API to trigger bots on events rather than timers.
15. Challenges When Starting with Robocorp RPA
- Learning curve: Requires basic Python knowledge.
- UI changes: Bots can break if web elements change frequently.
- Process selection: Not every task is worth automating — focus on rule-based, repetitive ones.
- Maintenance: Bots need monitoring and updates as business rules evolve.
Overcoming these challenges means building a culture of continuous automation and documentation.
16. Future of Robocorp and the RPA Industry
16.1 The Rise of Hyperautomation
RPA is no longer limited to rule-based tasks. The new wave — Hyperautomation — combines RPA with AI, machine learning, process mining, and analytics.
16.2 Robocorp’s AI Vision
Robocorp is working toward integrating AI assistants that help bots make decisions autonomously (e.g., classifying emails, understanding documents, detecting anomalies).
16.3 Open Source as the Standard
As enterprises seek transparency and cost control, open-source RPA like Robocorp will become mainstream. It gives developers freedom and companies ownership of their code.
16.4 Integration with Low-Code Platforms
Expect hybrid environments — business users create workflows visually while developers extend them in Python for complex logic.
17. Educational Path for Learners and Teams
- Start with Python fundamentals (variables, loops, modules).
- Learn Robot Framework syntax for readable task files.
- Explore RPA Framework libraries — Excel, Browser, PDF, Email.
- Practice building robots locally and uploading to Control Room.
- Join the Robocorp Community Forum for support and projects.
Certifications like Robocorp Developer Level I and II can help validate skills professionally.
18. How Businesses Can Adopt Robocorp Strategically
- Identify process candidates: Look for high-volume, repetitive tasks.
- Start small: Build a pilot automation to prove ROI.
- Train staff: Empower developers with Python and RPA knowledge.
- Scale gradually: Deploy Control Room and introduce governance.
- Measure impact: Track time saved, error reduction, and cost efficiency.
19. Why Open-Source RPA Is the Future
- Transparency: You own the code and data.
- Cost Efficiency: No per-bot licenses.
- Community Support: Continuous innovation through open libraries.
- Integration: Easily connect to modern AI and API services.
Robocorp proves that automation can be both powerful and accessible.
20. Conclusion: Empowering the Next Generation of Digital Workers
Robocorp represents the future of automation — an ecosystem where developers, business leaders, and students collaborate to build a digital workforce.
By combining Python’s flexibility, open-source philosophy, and cloud orchestration, Robocorp enables organizations to create smart bots that scale with their growth.
Whether you’re a developer seeking technical depth, a manager seeking ROI, or a student exploring automation careers — Robocorp RPA is your gateway to the automation revolution.
“The real power of RPA is not replacing humans — it’s freeing them to focus on what humans do best: thinking, creating, and innovating.”
📚 Recommended Resources
- robocorp.com/docs — Official documentation
- RPA Framework GitHub — Library source code
- Robocorp Community Forum
- Robot Framework User Guide
