Why Humanoid Robots Need New Safety Standards Now

Humanoid robots are making their first strides into workplaces, promising to take on physically demanding tasks alongside humans. Take Digit, a warehouse robot capable of lifting heavy boxes. Yet, despite its capabilities, Digit sometimes falls, posing serious safety risks to nearby workers. This highlights why humanoid robots need their own tailored safety standards before becoming common in shared human environments.

Unlike traditional industrial robots that are fixed or operate behind barriers, humanoid robots are designed to navigate human-centric spaces and interact closely with people. Their dynamic stability means they must constantly balance using powered limbs, making emergency power cuts risky since sudden shutdowns can cause them to topple. This unique challenge demands new safety mechanisms beyond the conventional emergency stop button.

Innovations like gradual deceleration and controlled lowering to a safe posture are being developed to mitigate fall risks. For instance, Digit’s next versions may gently slow down and carefully drop to hands and knees if a collision seems imminent, rather than abruptly powering off. These approaches aim to keep humans safe without compromising robot functionality.

Defining what exactly constitutes a humanoid robot is itself a challenge. Should standards focus on appearance, like having arms and legs, or on capabilities and behavior? Experts suggest moving away from the term “humanoid” toward classifications based on function and use case, which could also include quadrupeds or wheeled robots with active stability control.

Communication is another critical safety dimension. Robots must signal their intentions clearly to humans, much like cars use brake lights and turn signals. Visual cues, status lights, and possibly gestures or sounds will help people anticipate robot movements, reducing surprise and accidents. This is especially important in noisy industrial settings where audio cues alone are insufficient.

Beyond physical safety, humanoid robots raise psychosocial concerns. Their human-like appearance can lead people to overestimate their abilities or develop misplaced trust, which may cause frustration or safety lapses. Standards should address emotional safety, ensuring robots communicate capabilities honestly and avoid misleading users, particularly vulnerable populations like children or the elderly.

Inclusivity and adaptability in communication are also vital. Robots should accommodate diverse human needs, such as communicating with deaf or blind individuals, understanding different accents, and allowing extra response time. Different environments—factories, homes, hospitals—will require tailored interaction standards to ensure safety and usability across contexts.

Setting these standards is complex, balancing innovation freedom with safety assurance. Organizations like IEEE and ISO are collaborating to define minimum safety bars that manufacturers must meet, fostering trust and enabling regulatory frameworks. Although consensus is challenging, establishing these guidelines early will accelerate safe humanoid robot adoption in workplaces and homes.

Humanoid robots hold immense potential to transform industries and daily life, but their unique risks require thoughtful, dedicated safety standards. By addressing physical stability, clear communication, and emotional safety, the robotics community can ensure these machines become trusted collaborators rather than hazards. The journey toward safe humanoid robots is just beginning, and the groundwork laid now will shape their future integration.