According to their own statement, the Danes surveyed around 2,200 industry executives from all sectors and company sizes with varying degrees of automation from eight European countries for the report, with the aim of gaining insights into the “drivers, barriers, and opportunities” of automation, particularly in the areas of robotics, AI, and smart analytics.

84 percent view the use of cobots positively

According to the “State of Industrial Automation Report 2025,” 84 percent of respondents view the use of cobots positively, with only 3 percent rejecting it completely. In Germany, 35 percent of the companies surveyed already use cobots, and another 31 percent of the companies surveyed are currently preparing to introduce them.

More new jobs thanks to cobots

Perhaps most surprising is the finding that the majority of respondents (51 percent) expect cobots to create more new jobs by 2030 and do not fear that their use will eliminate jobs for human employees. The study designers see the fact that the employees surveyed do not expect displacement as an indication that cobots are viewed as a useful extension of technological possibilities.

Measurable productivity gains

The main reason for the study participants' satisfaction with cobots is the noticeable effects in their everyday work. For example, 89 percent of cobot users mention measurable productivity gains, with a good half of those surveyed citing increases of between 10 and 25 percent. Optimizations in the area of ergonomics also contribute to the acceptance of cobot technology, which often takes over monotonous, physically demanding tasks such as palletizing or loading. Last but not least, this reduces the risk of injury, reduces fatigue, and creates space for quality control. With illustrative case studies, UR shows, for example, how companies can eliminate heavy lifting and increase team satisfaction through automated palletizing.

Particularly attractive for SMEs

Since cobots can be implemented quickly compared to many other key technologies and are generally flexible in terms of conversion, they are becoming increasingly relevant for strategic corporate developments. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular find cobot technology attractive. Depending on the region and definition, cobots account for around 10 percent of industrial robots installed worldwide. According to the International Federation of Robotics, cobots accounted for 11 percent of all industrial robots installed in 2023, and more recent figures from various parts of the world show that the global trend toward an increase in cobots is continuing.

Overcoming challenges

However, in addition to the advantages described above, the global growth in cobots also brings with it a number of challenges that need to be overcome. The UR study cites integration into existing systems as the biggest hurdle, which is perceived more frequently in Germany than the EU average. Almost everywhere, it is also apparent that although acceptance of cobots is currently high, this does not yet indicate a stable trend. Many market observers warn of the risk that employees will primarily perceive cobots as a threat to their job security, reducing their willingness to work constructively with their steel colleagues. Only through transparent, honest communication, early employee involvement, clear role definitions, and, above all, fair livelihood security can companies maintain the currently predominantly positive image of cobots.

Practice shows higher satisfaction on the shop floor

Companies are currently taking on the challenges and are consequently increasingly using cobots in manufacturing in conjunction with humans – from assembly to material handling. Employees are often first trained as “robot operators” and the collaborative cells are introduced gradually, primarily to achieve ergonomic goals. The result is usually more stable processes, less downtime, and higher satisfaction on the shop floor. In the 2024 UR survey, 30 percent of the managers surveyed stated that they were automating primarily to improve working conditions, for example by delegating so-called “dull, dirty, dangerous” tasks to cobots.

Understanding cobot introduction as a challenging change project

Cobots are therefore continuing to gain ground, as evidenced above all by this figure from the current UR study: 93 percent of study participants expect that within ten years, at least one-tenth of the workforce will be working with cobots. Anyone who wants to ensure that cobots continue to be well accepted by the workforce should view their introduction as a challenging change project. This is because it will not only be a matter of delivering on an ergonomic value proposition and providing measurable key figures for productivity gains, but also of giving everyone good opportunities to participate in value creation.