- Report finds public support for workplace robots is growing – especially for physical or dangerous tasks
- Willingness to accept a robot inside the home grows with real-life exposure
- Familiarity and clear governance are essential to overcoming public fear
Technological capabilities may no longer been the limiting factor when it comes to how and where robots can be deployed, with new Hexagon research revealing public support isn’t always there.
The company found much of the public is becoming more accepting of robots in the workplace, but only where they’re used for practical, physical or dangerous jobs.
However roles which require empathy, judgement or human interaction are still where support remains low.
Robots are most accepted in practical labor use cases
For example, more than half (56%) of the 1,000+ UK adults surveyed said they’d accept robots in lifting and transporting heavy items. Carrying and delivering any items (38%) and monitoring hazards and dangerous environments (34%) also received reasonable support.
With airports, some supermarkets and other public places now employing robots, 31% would even support their use in cleaning shared spaces.
Though the research fails to detail perception by age bracket, the company surveyed an equal number of UK children to reveal that heavy lifting, carrying and delivering is even more accepted among under 18s.
However, while repetitive physical work is generally well-accepted, 82% of UK adults want humans to care for sick, elderly and young people.
Only 5% say they’d choose a robot caregiver, making this the lowest support for any of the tasks included in the report. Even children seem reluctant to have non-human personal interactions, with 79% preferring human caregivers and 8% willing to choose a robot instead.
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