The Capgemini Research Institute has released a new report revealing that two-thirds of global organizations now rank "physical AI"—the transition from pre-programmed automation to autonomous action in the real world—as a high priority for the next three to five years. While 79% of organizations
The drive toward physical AI is increasingly fueled by structural macroeconomic shifts rather than simple cost-cutting. Approximately 43% of executives identify reshoring and reindustrialization as primary motivators, viewing autonomous systems as the only viable path to scaling domestic production in the U.S. and Europe. Interestingly, labor shortages have overtaken labor costs as the top investment driver, particularly in the agriculture, logistics, and retail sectors. Japan currently leads the global trend, with over three-quarters of its executives prioritizing physical AI to combat workforce constraints.
Despite the significant hype surrounding humanoid robots, the report suggests that established form factors like autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and industrial cobots will lead near-term growth. Humanoids remain a long-term bet for most, with 72% of executives citing technical immaturity in dexterity and 63% deterred by high costs and unclear ROI. Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini, notes that while robotics has historically overpromised, the current convergence of AI maturity and engineering suggests a real opportunity for organizations that focus on "security by design" and progressive scaling.