The use of robots in Estonian companies is still limited, but their role is expected to grow in the coming years. According to the logistics trend report by SmartPosti’s parent company Posti, the most likely scenario for the near future is not fully automated, human-free warehouses, but increasingly close collaboration between people, robots, and artificial intelligence.
According to Posti’s trend report, approximately 3-5% of companies in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Lithuania currently use robots. Over the next three to five years, the strongest growth in robot adoption is expected in Lithuania, where the figure is projected to reach 19%. In Sweden, it is expected to reach 16%, in Finland 15%, in Latvia 9%, and in Estonia 8%.
According to Raivo Roolaid, Head of Baltics Contract Logistics, discussions about automation often frame people and machines as opposites, even though the real question is which tasks are best handled by humans and which by technology.
“A fully automated warehouse where the lights can be switched off because no people work there is technologically possible. However, that does not mean such warehouses will become the norm anytime soon. A much more realistic development is one where robots take over repetitive, physically demanding, or highly precise tasks, while people focus on decision-making, problem-solving, and handling unexpected situations,” said Roolaid.
Fully automated dark warehouses are not yet the norm
As one possible future scenario, the trend report describes the so-called dark warehouse, where robots independently handle everything from sorting goods to moving them around. A warehouse that operates without people does not even require conventional lighting.
In reality, robot adoption in companies remains limited. Small businesses are particularly cautious. Across the five countries surveyed, 62% of companies with 2–10 employees say they have no plans to introduce robots at all.
One of the more practical development directions is the use of collaborative robots, or cobots, which are designed to work alongside people in the same environment. Unlike many traditional automation solutions, cobots can be implemented in existing warehouses and production facilities without extensive reconstruction.
“The goal of automation does not have to be removing people from processes. If machines take care of lifting, moving, sorting, or repeating the same task thousands of times, people can focus on work where their skills create more value. At the same time, technology can make physical work easier and safer,” Roolaid explained.
Technological development is also changing human work
The trend report also highlights wearable support devices and smart clothing as examples of human-technology collaboration. Exoskeletons can assist employees with tasks such as lifting heavy loads, while sensors integrated into smart clothing can monitor working posture and warn about potential risks.
According to the report, increased automation will not reduce the need for human knowledge and skills. Some 31% of respondents consider skills development to be one of the most important priorities in their logistics strategy. Companies are investing in employee training as well as recruiting people with new competencies to strengthen their digital capabilities.
According to Roolaid, technological development is primarily changing the nature of work itself.
“As warehouses adopt more automation and artificial intelligence, there will be a growing need for people who can operate and monitor these systems and intervene when exceptions occur. The logistics employee of the future will not necessarily compete with a robot. The ability to work alongside robots will become increasingly important.”
The Posti Logistics Trend Report 2026 is based on a future logistics trends analysis conducted by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and a survey commissioned by Posti and carried out by research company Norstat. The survey included 2,375 business decision-makers from Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Read the summary of the Posti Logistics Trend Report here.