''If the size of the Croatian economy is taken into account, it should have almost 2,000 robots, however, according to our estimates only 175 are used in the industry thus Croatia is 1,800 robots short. The increased use of robots can be considered as one of the most important ways in increasing productivity'', commented the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK).

The HGK in cooperation with the Nikola Tesla Innovation Centre (ICENT) and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, is part of the CROBOHUB project, whose main goal is to establish a regional competence centre for robotics within the ICENT.
Emil Peric, the head of the HGK's Department of Technology Development and IT said that the Croatian economy needed at least 2,000 robots, whilst there were only 175. ''It only indicates the unused potential and the need for further development and investments'', said Peric.

'' Many stakeholders in the economy do not see robots as a threat that would completely replace human work. Actually there will be need for more staff to control robots, service them and produce new ones. With a lack of skilled labour and the workforce in general, with many industrial sectors based on low wages, robotics can be seen as a way to increase productivity, or even perhaps as the only way to do that”, concluded Peric.