Collaborative automation, which combines humans and robots in a shared cyber-physical workspace, has emerged as a promising approach to address the increasing complexity of tasks and the need for greater efficiency in manufacturing activities. This article explores the current state of the art, motivations, and potential benefits of collaborative automation, drawing on insights from recent research in three different directions: collaborative robotics, collaborative digital management, and cyber-augmented, including artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), human workers’ and teams’ collaboration. This article aims to provide a basis of understanding between the research and industry implementation of collaborative automation. By examining how complementary strengths of humans and robots are leveraged, the study aims to unlock future possibilities for automation in cyber-physical manufacturing systems, leading to greater efficiency, flexibility, and operational safety.