Universal Robots' latest study, based on responses from over 2,000 professionals across eight European countries, working in companies at varying stages of automation adoption, found that 84 per cent reported positive employee sentiment toward robot implementation, with resistance cited by only 3 per cent. This marks a turning point in how automation is perceived: welcomed rather than feared.
Cobots to become common place
Among industrial leaders already on their automation journey, 93 per cent said they expect at least 10 per cent of their workforce to be working alongside cobots within the next decade, and nearly half (47 per cent) anticipate that more than a quarter of their employees will do so. Cobots have already become core to many businesses’ daily operations, and their role is set to deepen further, with adoption expected to accelerate and cement their place in the workforce over the next decade.
Jobs outlook
More than half of respondents (51 per cent) believe robots will create more jobs than they displace by 2030. Only 22 per cent disagreed, while nearly four in five (78 per cent) said they are either optimistic or neutral. This marks a sharp departure from earlier fears of automation replacing workers, Universal Robots reported, a shift underscored by the growing adoption of collaborative robots across industries.
A practical lever on labour shortages
91 per cent of respondents believe cobots can reduce labour shortages by at least 10 per cent, with 44 per cent expecting a reduction of 25 per cent or more. That confidence reflects automation’s role in stabilizing operations, enabling growth, and addressing demographic pressures, particularly ageing workforces and shrinking labour pools across Europe.
Productivity is driving automation investment
According to the research, the top reason businesses are investing in automation is clear: productivity. In fact, 68 per cent of respondents ranked productivity gains among their top three drivers, making it the leading motivator for adoption.
And those gains are being realised: a striking 89 per cent of companies reported measurable productivity improvements after deploying collaborative robots (cobots). Over half (52 per cent) saw increases of 10–25 per cent, nearly a third (30 per cent) achieved a 26–50 per cent boost, and 6 per cent reported gains of more than 50 per cent.
Defining Europe’s industrial trajectory
“Europe’s industrial sector is undergoing a major transition as businesses confront geopolitical instability, inflation, aging workforces, and supply chain challenges,” said Mark Gray, UK & Ireland Country Manager.
“In response, automation has shifted from long-term goal to immediate priority, with companies investing in robotics, AI, and advanced analytics to boost productivity, quality, and resilience. Our study confirms this shift, showing that cobots are not just enhancing efficiency – they’re driving transformative change across operations.”
“Once confined to large-scale manufacturing, automation is spreading across industries and companies of all sizes, supported by a workforce increasingly prepared to adapt, as our study clearly demonstrates. Automation in its many forms is becoming a cornerstone of Europe’s industrial future and will be essential for sustaining global competitiveness through intelligence, flexibility, and human-centric design.”
The findings can be read in full on the State of Automation 2025 report hub.
