Robot anxiety is highest where robots are least visible, new global study from Hexagon finds

Hexagon Germany England China South Korea United Kingdom United States of America

A global split in confidence: UK adults are most anxious (52%) vs South Korea least (29%), while high-exposure markets like China (75% of adults have seen/used robots) are also the most excited about robots' potential (81%)The biggest concern is security, not jobs: Hacking is the top concern of adults (51%), well ahead of being replaced at work (41%) and trust (24%).Hexagon's global study finds "robot anxiety" is context dependent: it's highest where robots are least visible, and falls when people can see robots working safely alongside humanssurveyed 9000 adults and 9000 children aged 8–18 across the USA, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, China, Brazil and India. The survey was carried out by Vitreous World on behalf of Hexagon between Oct – Nov 2025.

'Robot' in this context means a machine that can carry out tasks either completely on its own or with human guidance. These tasks could be pre-programmed or the robot could be acting independently. Robots can be found in many forms — for example, machines that build products, deliver goods, or help at home. They don't always look like people.

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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:  

Carla Gutierrez, Senior Director, Communications, [e-mail]
Harriet Funston, Senior Account Director, MikeWorldWide (MWW), [e-mail]

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