- According to Hexagon’s global “Robot Generation” study, the biggest divergence appears in the care sector: 68% of adults want robots to handle heavy lifting, but only 12% would choose robots to provide care services.
- Robot adoption is not universally accepted but conditional: about half of adults support using robots for hazard monitoring (52%), cleaning public spaces (50%), and information inquiries (50%). However, up to 86% of respondents believe clear rules must be established for what robots can and cannot do.
- The next generation is already more adapted to robots. Children are more open to robots in various scenarios and are 50% more likely than adults to view robots as “formal colleagues” at work.
LONDONJune 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — New findings from Hexagon’s global “Robot Generation” study reveal that both adults and children are open to robots in the workplace, but set clear conditions on where and how they should be used.
When asked whether they would prefer humans or robots for specific work tasks, adults consistently chose robots for physical, repetitive, and dangerous jobs. 68% of respondents want robots to handle heavy lifting, 54% want robots for transport and delivery, and 52% want robots for hazard monitoring. Children show the same preferences, with even higher acceptance: 69% of children want robots for heavy lifting, and 59% for transport and delivery.
However, when tasks require empathy or responsibility, both groups clearly favor humans. The biggest gap is in the care sector: 67% of children and 71% of adults prefer humans to care for patients, the elderly, or children. In contrast, only 16% and 12% respectively would choose robots—the lowest preference for robots across all tested tasks.
Dr. Jim Everett, Associate Professor of Moral Psychology, said: “Robots do have potential in areas like elderly care or classrooms, but they should serve as assistive tools, not replacements for those irreplaceable human roles.”
Dr. Blay Whitby, Technology Ethicist, added: “If you ask people whether they want to be cared for by a robot, most say no. But if you ask whether they would like to use technology to live independently at home longer, most say yes. The technology itself is no different; it’s just a matter of perspective.”
The Era of Robot Assistants
When asked what they actually want robots to do for them, adults and children agree: provide practical help. Adults prioritize tasks including measuring or conducting simple research (53%), handling administrative tasks (38%), and ensuring workplace safety (34%). Children want robots to help them understand course content (60%) and spark creativity (48%). But the two groups diverge on what kind of “relationship” they want with robots.
Only 21% of adults believe robots should be considered formal colleagues, and just 14% want robots in managerial roles. Children are 50% more likely to see robots as formal colleagues, indicating a generational shift is already underway. However, emotions remain mixed. 40% of adults say having robot colleagues would be exciting, but 38% say it would be frightening, echoing the blend of curiosity and caution captured in the first round of the study.
Industrial Sector: A Safe Testing Ground for Robots
The environment where robots perform these practical tasks also matters. Adults are most accepting of robots helping in factories and warehouses (63%), far more than in hospitals and clinics (45%) or classrooms (39%). This pattern is consistent across markets: in China, 75% of adults have encountered robots in real life, and 63% accept robots in their homes. In contrast, the UK stands at just 32%, the lowest level of robot exposure among all surveyed markets. As the first round of the study found, the less common robots are in people’s daily lives, the higher their anxiety levels.
Additionally, people prefer robots with a mechanical appearance (28%) over humanoid forms (22%), suggesting trust is built on functionality rather than looks. Yet, acceptance remains conditional: up to 86% of adults believe clear rules must be set for what robots can and cannot do. Furthermore, concerns about safety (51%), reliability (21%), and trust (26%) highlight that governance must advance alongside technology deployment.
Burkhard Boeckem, Chief Technology Officer at Hexagon, said: “People are telling us clearly where robots should and shouldn’t be, and their instincts are highly consistent across markets. Robot tasks in industrial environments are the most clearly defined, safety cases are most mature, and governance is under public scrutiny. This is precisely where people feel most comfortable working alongside humanoid robots, and it’s exactly where our technology is already operating. This data confirms that the path to widespread robot adoption must go through industry, not around it.”
Methodology:
Hexagon’s “Robot Generation” study surveyed 9,000 adults and 9,000 children aged 8 to 18 from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, China, Brazil, and India. The survey was conducted by Vitreous World on behalf of Hexagon between October and November 2025.
In this context, “robot” refers to machines capable of completing tasks fully autonomously or under human guidance. These tasks can be pre-programmed or executed independently by the robot. Robots come in various forms—for example, machines used to manufacture products, deliver goods, or assist with household chores. They do not always have a human appearance.
About Hexagon:
Hexagon is a global leader in measurement technology. Our precision measurement, positioning, and autonomy solutions are reshaping the world’s most critical industries. From aerospace and defense, automotive, construction, general manufacturing to mining, we provide customers with reliable confidence to build, navigate, and continuously innovate.
Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 17,000 employees in 50 countries and regions, with net sales of around EUR 3.7 billion.
For more information, visit hexagon.com
Media Contact: