“FRANKFURT. In the next ten years, more and more Germans are likely to turn to robotic household helpers. According to the consumer electronics association GFU and the strategy consultancy Oliver Wyman, this is primarily due to the likely sharp decline in the cost of the devices. The main obstacle for household robots is currently the price, and this obstacle will disappear, says Wyman partner Martin Schulte:
"The cost of a humanoid robot will more than halve by 2035" – from currently around €35,000 to €15,000.
He expects "commercially relevant breakthroughs" for household robotics providers, especially in trades and gardening.
On Tuesday, the GFU and Oliver Wyman presented the results of a study on Germans' attitudes toward robot vacuums, humanoid chefs, and automated care assistants. According to the study, the topic polarizes the population. 37 percent of respondents expressed their approval, with 36 percent saying they won't have a robot in their home in the next five to ten years. A good quarter are neutral about the technology. The study's authors conclude from this that "two-thirds of German consumers have recognized the benefits of household robots."
However, acceptance varies depending on age, income, and gender. While younger people would prefer to be assisted by household robots, those over 55 are more skeptical. People who already spend money on cleaning staff, gardeners, caregivers, or babysitters are particularly open-minded. Support with issues such as security or gardening generates particularly high interest. In contrast, many are more reserved when it comes to personal matters such as personal hygiene. Robotic babysitting encounters strong reservations: Men approve of this approach at 36 percent, compared to 20 percent for women.
Generally, approval increases with income. While 50 to 60 percent of respondents with an annual income of less than €30,000 can imagine robot assistance, the number is lower among those with an annual income of less than €30,000. Those with an annual income of at least €80,000 account for 70 to 80 percent. A common concern is the expectation of becoming overly dependent on technology with household robots, resulting in a loss of one's own abilities. Data protection concerns are also frequently expressed, as is the fear of injury or damage due to malfunctions.
The bottom line is that the industry association GFU, which is once again hosting the IFA consumer electronics trade fair in Berlin in September, draws promising robotics opportunities for European home appliance manufacturers from the survey results. Respondents would rather buy a helper device from them than, for example, from tech generalists or AI companies. "What matters are functional, reliable solutions that make everyday life easier, not futuristic visions," says managing director Sara Warneke.
Other studies also see robotic household helpers on the rise. A study by the University of Oxford and Japan's Ochanomizu University concludes that within a decade, 40 percent of household chores—such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping—can be automated. However, experts disagree on when the technology will ultimately achieve its breakthrough in the mass market experience. Forecasts range from a few years to several decades." [1]
1. Roboterhelfer für 15.000 Euro: Humanoide Haushaltshilfen auf dem Vormarsch. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 02 July 2025: 19.
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