Hexagon Research Finds Public Confidence in Robotics Grows with Real World Exposure and Clear Practical Uses

Hexagon Research Finds Public Confidence in Robotics Grows with Real World Exposure and Clear Practical Uses

(IN BRIEF) Hexagon’s global Robot Generation study highlights significant differences in how people around the world perceive robotics, with anxiety levels strongly linked to how frequently individuals encounter robots in daily life. The survey of 18,000 participants across nine countries found that the United Kingdom has the highest level of robot anxiety, while South Korea shows the lowest. Markets with greater exposure to robots, such as China, also report higher levels of enthusiasm about their future potential. The research challenges the assumption that job displacement is the public’s primary concern about robotics, revealing that security risks—particularly the possibility of hacking—are the top worry for most respondents. Acceptance of robots is highest in industrial settings such as factories and warehouses, where tasks are clearly defined and safety standards are established, while comfort levels decline in homes and classrooms. The findings suggest that increasing public exposure to robots, demonstrating clear use cases and ensuring robust governance over data and control systems are key factors in building long-term trust in robotics technologies.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 10-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — A new global research report released by Hexagon highlights striking regional differences in how people perceive robotics, revealing that public attitudes toward robots vary significantly depending on familiarity and exposure. The study, titled Robot Generation, surveyed 18,000 participants across nine major global markets and shows that anxiety about robots tends to be highest in countries where people encounter them least often in everyday life.

Among the countries surveyed, the United Kingdom emerged as the most concerned about robots, with 52 percent of adults saying they feel uneasy about the possibility that something could go wrong when interacting with or working alongside robotic systems. At the opposite end of the spectrum, South Korea recorded the lowest levels of concern, with just 29 percent expressing similar worries.

The results suggest that familiarity plays an important role in shaping perceptions. In the United Kingdom, only 30 percent of adults report having seen or used robots in real-world settings, the lowest level among surveyed markets. In contrast, China shows both the highest exposure and enthusiasm for robotics. Three quarters of Chinese respondents say they have already encountered or used robots, and 81 percent express excitement about their future potential.

The findings also reveal interesting parallels between robotics and artificial intelligence. While many respondents are cautious about physical robots, software-based AI tools are already widely used. In the United Kingdom, for example, 61 percent of adults reported using AI in the previous three months, and more than half said they consider AI chatbots to be a form of robot.

Across markets, the research indicates that attitudes toward robotics are strongly shaped by context. Rather than rejecting the technology outright, people tend to be more comfortable with robots when they perform clearly defined tasks or operate in environments where safety standards are well established.

Industrial settings illustrate this trend clearly. A majority of respondents—63 percent—said they feel comfortable with robots operating in factories or warehouses. Acceptance drops significantly in other environments, however, with only 46 percent expressing comfort with robots in the home and 39 percent with robots in classrooms. Support is particularly strong for robots performing hazardous or physically demanding tasks, where respondents see tangible benefits such as improved safety and higher productivity.

One of the most notable findings from the study is that the primary public concern about robotics is not job loss. Instead, the leading worry centers on security. When asked about potential risks associated with robots in the workplace, 51 percent of adults identified hacking or misuse of robotic systems as their biggest concern. This ranked higher than fears of mechanical malfunction or physical harm (41 percent) and the possibility of robots replacing human workers (41 percent).

According to Hexagon’s leadership, the results point to several factors that can help build public confidence in robotics, including transparency, visible real-world applications and clear safeguards around data and system control.

Burkhard Boeckem, Chief Technology Officer at Hexagon, explained that public reactions to robotics are rarely abstract or ideological. Instead, people evaluate robots based on practical questions such as where they operate, what functions they perform and how securely they are managed. He noted that anxiety tends to grow when robotic technologies feel distant or poorly understood.

Researchers involved in the study also emphasized the importance of experience and communication in shaping public trust. Dr Jim Everett, Associate Professor in Moral Psychology, observed that people often evaluate technologies differently depending on how they are used, suggesting that trust should be calibrated to specific contexts rather than applied broadly to all forms of AI or robotics.

Similarly, robotics researcher Michael Szollosy pointed out that direct exposure to robots can quickly reduce fears. When individuals interact with a robot in person, particularly one designed to be approachable and helpful, apprehension often fades as people realize the technology is designed for specific tasks rather than dramatic science-fiction scenarios.

The study concludes that increasing transparency and public engagement around robotics could play a critical role in shaping future attitudes. Demonstrating how robots operate safely alongside humans, and clarifying their intended roles, may help reduce anxiety and foster greater confidence in emerging robotic technologies.

The Robot Generation study was conducted between October and November 2025 by research firm Vitreous World on behalf of Hexagon. It surveyed 9,000 adults and 9,000 children aged 8 to 18 across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, China, Brazil and India. For the purposes of the research, robots were defined broadly as machines capable of performing tasks either autonomously or with human guidance, ranging from industrial machines and delivery systems to domestic robotic assistants.

About Hexagon:

Hexagon is the global leader in measurement technologies. We provide the confidence that vital industries rely on to build, navigate, and innovate. From microns to Mars, our solutions ensure productivity, quality, safety, and sustainability in everything from manufacturing and construction to mining and autonomous systems.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,800 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.4bn EUR.

Learn more at hexagon.com.

Media Contacts:

Carla Gutierrez, Senior Director, Communications, media@hexagon.com

Harriet Funston, Senior Account Director, MikeWorldWide (MWW), hmasters@mww.com

SOURCE: Hexagon