UK Industry Faces Uncertainty Over Robotics Adoption, Reveals QNX Research

• British industry shows the highest confidence in working alongside robotics compared to its European counterparts, with almost two-thirds (64%) of businesses not currently using robotics planning to implement them in the future. Increasing productivity and efficiency is the top motivator, cited by 34% of respondents. 
• However, 18% of those not yet using robotics have no plans to do so within the next twelve months, while another 18% remain uncertain, and 29% have plans but no defined timeline. This indicates a lack of clarity and confidence regarding the rollout of robotics.
• Despite the ambitions outlined in Invest 2035, nearly a third (31%) of industrial decision-makers feel that current robotics policies and regulations are inadequate, with unclear guidelines on the ethical use of robotics (64%) identified as a major concern.

QNX, the embedded software division of BlackBerry Limited, has released new research shedding light on the current state of robotics adoption in the UK industry. The survey, which included 150 executives from sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and heavy machinery, reveals a mixed response to the government's push for advanced technologies. While the UK government has made strides in promoting innovation through its industrial strategy, industry leaders remain uncertain about how to navigate the integration of robotics into their operations.

Growing interest in robotics, but uncertainty prevails

According to the survey, nearly two-thirds (64%) of UK businesses are eager to introduce robotics into their operations, with key drivers including technological advancements (94%) and cost reduction (90%). The prospect of improved safety (84%) and the potential for data-driven insights (76%) further boost interest. However, despite these incentives, only 12% of organisations not currently using robotics have plans to implement it within the next 12 months. More than a quarter (29%) have yet to determine a clear timeline for adoption.

The biggest challenges hindering widespread robotics deployment include high initial costs (50%), maintenance and downtime (35%), and the shortage of skilled workers (34%). These barriers suggest that while UK businesses see the potential benefits of robotics, many are hesitant to fully embrace these technologies without clearer guidance and support.

Need for stronger legislation and support

The survey also highlights significant concerns regarding the legislative framework governing the use of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in the UK. Almost a third (31%) of respondents feel that current policies and regulations are inadequate for their industry. For those who perceive the regulations as insufficient, a lack of clear guidelines around the ethical use of robotics (64%) is the primary issue, followed by a lack of public awareness (47%) and insufficient training and education resources (45%).

Just 12% of respondents believe the existing policies are "very adequate," underscoring the need for more robust regulatory frameworks to facilitate smoother robotics deployment. With a clearer legislative environment, UK businesses could gain the confidence needed to scale their adoption of robotics technologies.

Comfort with robotics in the workplace, but safety risks remain

Despite the concerns around regulations and cost, UK businesses are generally comfortable with the idea of working alongside robots. The survey reveals that 72% of UK industrial decision-makers are willing to work alongside robotic systems, surpassing the European average of 67% and closely aligning with the global average of 70%. This indicates a high level of trust in robotics' potential to enhance productivity across industries.

UK organisations also display a high level of confidence in their safety measures. 89% of industrial decision-makers believe they have the necessary protocols in place to prevent accidents involving robotic systems. However, the research does uncover some lingering safety concerns: 29% of respondents reported that someone in their organisation had previously encountered a robotics-related safety risk or dangerous situation. Furthermore, 63% expressed concerns about potential security risks associated with robotic systems, with 9% saying they were "very" concerned.

João Pereira, Director of EMEA General Embedded Markets at QNX, commented, “From surgical instruments to self-driving forklifts, industry is embracing robotics in the workplace, but the data here makes clear that uncertainty and safety concerns still exist. By implementing more robust legislation and through improved education on the safety and efficiency features that robotics technology enables, we can build the trust and confidence while equipping UK organisations to deploy these technologies with the necessary foundational software to make them performant, safe, secure and reliable.”

The impact of robotics on employment and morale

Beyond the operational implications of robotics adoption, the survey also delves into potential impacts on employee morale. More than four in ten (42%) of UK respondents cited job replacement as one of the biggest threats to morale and job satisfaction, a higher percentage than in any other country outside North America. Other concerns include reduced human interaction (36%), increased job insecurity (32%), and over-reliance on technology (31%).

On the flip side, UK industrial decision-makers also recognise the potential benefits of robotics for improving employee morale. The most frequently cited opportunities include productivity and efficiency improvements (34%) and the removal of dangerous or repetitive tasks (33%). These findings suggest that while robotics may pose some challenges, it also presents significant opportunities to enhance workplace efficiency and reduce worker risk.

About QNX

QNX, a division of BlackBerry Limited, is a leading provider of embedded software solutions, with a focus on delivering safe and secure operating systems, hypervisors, middleware, and development tools. QNX technology is trusted across industries such as automotive, healthcare, industrial controls, and robotics.

About BlackBerry

BlackBerry is a global leader in intelligent software and services that power enterprise solutions. With a focus on security, performance, and reliability, BlackBerry helps businesses unlock transformative applications, innovative business models, and new revenue streams.