The robot uprising is coming. Well, maybe not just yet - but the fact is that the rise of automation technology, such as AI and IoT, has led to a huge increase in robots in recent years.
Across a variety of industries, the use of robots has risen significantly since 2016. Statista, the international research and statistics agency, reported that the worldwide shipment of robots rose from 294,000 in 2016 to 387,000 in 2017.
With this huge increase in industrial robot usage, alongside the rise of big data, cloud computing and automated technology in our everyday lives, the robots are truly taking over.
But how do people feel about this rise of robotics in our lives?
Robots in everyday life
While many of us are familiar with robots being used in production lines, the bigger concern for most people is the rise of robotics in our everyday lives. Many companies have already introduced robots and AI into their services while others are exploring similar technology.
Companies including Amazon, Adidas, Best Buy and Lowes are ahead of the game in this regard, having already experimented with robotic warehousing.
Many experts predict that in the near future, robots will have a big part to play in assisting with various tasks in our everyday lives, from household chores to performing minor surgeries.
As these technologies develop, many people are starting to worry about this tech. Using sophisticated technology and advanced number-crunching robots, RS Components has collected the data to explore how people feel about robots in the UK.
Computing the data
The research suggests a divided opinion towards robots amongst many Brits, with 34% believing that robots will make everyday life better, while 32% are worried that robots will take over everyday life.
Much of the distrust seems to be rooted in a fear of robots taking over human jobs, with 22% of respondents expressing this concern. A majority of all those interviewed - 54% - stated that they would trust a human over a robot, while only 14% would place their trust in a robot instead of a human.
RS Components’ research also reveals that women are more fearful of robotic technologies than men, with 34% of female respondents concerned about robots taking over, compared to 29% of men.
Only 32% of the women interviewed believed robots will help everyday life, compared to a far greater 46% of men.
When asked about specific tasks, men were far happier than women to let a robot cook their food and look after their pets, suggesting that the robot revolution will at least allow fellas to put their feet up.
Across both sexes, there were few things that a large number of respondents were happy to let a robot do, with the exception of household chores, with 40% of those interviewed in favour of robotic help around the house.
Let’s hope the robotic revolution is confined to the kitchen, then…
