New global research from Hexagon suggests Britain is one of the more cautious nations when it comes to robots in everyday life, despite having relatively little direct experience with them.
The Robot Generation study, surveying 18,000 people across nine countries, finds that 52 per cent of British adults feel worried about robots, ranking highest among the nations polled. Yet only 30 per cent have seen or used a robot in real life, suggesting that unfamiliarity may be fuelling concern rather than calming it.
Key findings
52% of British adults feel worried about robots — the highest rate among nine countries surveyed
Only 30% of Britons have seen or used a robot in real life
51% of respondents globally worry robots could be hacked or misused
Concerns about malfunction and job replacement both sit at 41% worldwide
South Korea, where 73% have encountered a robot, shows the lowest anxiety at 29%
Robot anxiety league table
Percentage of adults who say they feel worried about the increasing use of robots:
UK — 52%
US — 45%
Brazil — 45%
Germany — 44%
China — 44%
India — 42%
Switzerland — 39%
Japan — 35%
South Korea — 29%
Robot anxiety is context-dependent
The study reveals that anxiety about robots is not blanket — it varies markedly by setting. Globally, 64 per cent of people are comfortable with robots performing surgery, while 59 per cent accept their use in elder care. However, only 31 per cent are comfortable with robots serving as companions for children.
There's a gap between how people imagine robots and what they actually experience. Countries with more exposure to robots — like South Korea and Japan — tend to have lower levels of anxiety. The fear isn't about the technology itself; it's about the unknown.
Burkhard Boeckem, Chief Technology Officer, Hexagon
Why does exposure matter?
The data suggests a clear inverse relationship between familiarity and fear. In South Korea, 73 per cent have encountered a robot and anxiety sits at 29 per cent. In the UK, only 30 per cent have encountered a robot and anxiety rises to 52 per cent.
Our emotional reactions to robots often tell us more about ourselves than about the machines. When people actually interact with robots, the fear tends to decrease substantially.
Dr Jim Everett, Social Psychologist
Implications for industry
The findings carry practical weight for organisations deploying robotics. Public acceptance varies significantly by application and geography, meaning a one-size-fits-all approach to robot introduction is unlikely to succeed.
If we want people to embrace the robots of the future, we need to start by introducing them to the robots of the present. Familiarity is the antidote to fear.
Michael Szollosy, AI and Robotics Ethics Researcher
Methodology
The Robot Generation study was commissioned by Hexagon and conducted among 18,000 adults across nine countries: the UK, US, Brazil, Germany, China, India, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea.
