As humanoid robots transition from lab prototypes to real-world applications, a new report by the IEEE Humanoid Study Group outlines the urgent need for dedicated safety, ethical, and design standards tailored to their unique risks. Presented during the IEEE ICRA conference, the executive summary titled “Humanoid Robots in Human Spaces” addresses how current robotics standards fall short when it comes to humanoids. Unlike traditional industrial robots, humanoids are designed to operate in human environments — including warehouses, hospitals, schools, and homes — and often perform tasks that require mobility, communication, and social interaction.
The report emphasizes that humanoid robots are not just another class of automation. Their human-like form brings unique benefits, such as the ability to use tools or navigate stairs, but also creates elevated safety risks and unrealistic user expectations. The combination of physical presence and emotional cues means that people often overestimate what these machines can do — leading to overtrust, misuse, or frustration when they don’t behave as expected.
Distinct Risk Categories
Based on input from over 70 experts and user research, the report identifies six major risk areas:
- Physical safety: Unlike wheeled robots, humanoids walk and balance dynamically, increasing the risk of falling or accidental collisions. Most current safety standards don’t address these issues.
- Psychosocial impacts: Users may develop false trust or emotional dependence on humanoids, especially in care or education settings.
- Privacy and ethics: Humanoids are often equipped with cameras, microphones, and biometric sensors, making them potentially intrusive in homes and healthcare environments.
- Cybersecurity: Networked humanoids are vulnerable to hacking or remote interference, particularly in public or high-risk deployments.
- Reliability: Inconsistent performance in tasks like object handling or movement can lead to safety incidents, especially in collaborative settings.
- Ergonomics: Despite their human-like form, many humanoids lack the fine motor control or strength to safely perform delicate tasks.
Rethinking Classification
The report proposes moving beyond defining humanoids by their appearance. Instead, it advocates for a multi-layered classification system based on a robot’s physical capabilities, behaviors, and intended use. This would allow for better risk assessment, certification, and cross-comparison with other robot types.
The classification would also factor in interaction modes (from no human contact to physical collaboration) and task complexity. A key recommendation is to integrate this taxonomy into a universal system, ensuring that humanoids are consistently evaluated across industries and applications.
Focus on Stability and Human Interaction
A major theme in the report is stability. Because humanoids must continuously balance themselves, a power outage or minor disturbance can cause a fall. The IEEE group urges the development of new test methods and real-time stability metrics — such as center-of-mass tracking — that can be used to evaluate and certify safe operation in dynamic environments.
Another critical focus is human-robot interaction (HRI). The report reveals that how humanoids look and move shapes user trust and behavior. Users often expect conversational fluency, emotional sensitivity, and situational awareness — traits that many humanoids currently lack. Misaligned expectations can lead to unsafe situations or rejection of the technology altogether.
To address this, the report recommends:
- Aligning robot appearance with actual capabilities
- Establishing standard signals and cues (like facial expressions or light patterns)
- Supporting inclusive design for users with varying abilities
- Making all robot behaviors transparent and interruptible
Call to Action
The IEEE study group concludes with a call for regulators, standards bodies, and developers to collaborate on new frameworks that recognize the unique nature of humanoids. A full, expanded version of the report is expected later this year, including test protocols, survey results, and use-case-specific guidelines. With companies racing to deploy humanoid robots across industries, the report makes clear that safety, ethics, and emotional design must be built into their foundation — not added as an afterthought.
