Objectives

This qualitative study explored the real-world adoption of collaborative robots (cobots). We set out to understand how decision-makers perceive this technology and to identify the next major growth opportunities for improving uptime, productivity, and quality across human-led teams.

The research provided a truly global perspective, covering North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM.

Methodology

To find and engage with experts in this emerging field, we utilized a multi-layered recruitment and research strategy:

• Integrated Outreach: We combined direct one-to-one professional outreach with targeted digital recruitment to find specific individuals responsible for cobotics.
• Expert Verification: Every respondent underwent a manual vetting process to ensure they had hands-on experience applying cobots in their specific work environments.
• Localized Engagement: The study was conducted in local languages to ensure we captured regional nuances and technical insights accurately across all four global regions.

The Challenge

• Cobotics is still an emerging field, posing challenges in finding the right experts
• Decision-makers are hard to identify. Many job titles don’t explicitly mention cobotics, even though the individual has responsibility in the space.
• The distinction between robotics and cobotics matters. Not everyone who works in robotics has experience with cobots, and we needed participants who could speak with authority about both.
• Expertise had to be validated. Our respondents weren’t just aware of cobotics, they also had to meet strict criteria, demonstrate advanced knowledge, and have already applied cobots in their own work environments.

Our Approach

At RONIN, we specialize in reaching high-level audiences that traditional recruitment methods often miss. Because cobotics is a niche field where job titles don’t always reflect actual responsibilities, we didn't rely on broad lists. Instead, we used a hands-on, human-verified approach to ensure every participant could speak with authority on the distinction between standard robotics and collaborative systems.