A recent poll found that 31% of automakers are increasing their investment in automation and robotics this year.

The ABB Robotics Automotive Manufacturing Outlook Survey was conducted in partnership with Automotive Manufacturing Solutions. It collected insights from 473 automotive decision makers who represented vehicle manufacturers and suppliers across the world.

Cost control and workforce pressures were listed as the main concerns driving the strategy shift. Thirty-three percent of respondents cited cost control and tighter budget management as their most important priorities.

However, in North America the No. 1 challenge cited was tariffs and reciprocal trade restrictions at 42%. Tariffs were also North America’s top concern in regard to rising costs.

Energy and material costs are critical concerns cited by 34% of manufacturers, a sentiment that points to the need for more efficient production processes and smarter use of resources, according to ABB.

Labor shortages and rising wage costs were significant concerns for 30% of survey respondents, which ABB said directly drives investment in automation and robotics, “given the many other manufacturing benefits including accelerated lead times, reduced cost, and flexibility.”

The survey also found growing interest in a wider range of automation technologies. North American respondents specifically expected a 64% increase in collaborative robot, or cobot, use, which ABB said is “well suited to repetitive and time-consuming assembly tasks.”

“The intelligent factory is no longer a future ambition – it has become essential for manufacturers looking to stay competitive in a challenging and fast-moving environment,” said Joerg Reger, managing eirector of ABB Robotics' Automotive Business Line.