Ethical Challenges in the Human-Robot Interaction Field
This extended abstract highlights five key ethical issues unique to the field of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), including emotional emulation, robot presentation, misleading terminology, data privacy risks, and Wizard of Oz experimental setups. The authors argue that HRI research frequently underreports ethical conduct and relies on deception or anthropomorphism that can lead to unrealistic user expectations. They call for an interdisciplinary and systematic approach to ethical reflection and adherence to proper research conduct among practitioners.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
HRI researchers and practitioners who need to reflect on ethical conduct and participant welfare in robotics studies.
What the document contains
The document addresses ethical challenges specific to human-robot interaction research, focusing on five primary issues: emotional emulation, presentation forms and media depictions, misleading terminology, privacy risks from sensors, and Wizard of Oz experimental methods.
The text does not provide formal legal regulations, enforceable standards, or a comprehensive code of conduct, serving instead as an introductory academic extended abstract intended to stimulate discussion.
- Human-Robot Interaction research introduces unique ethical challenges that go beyond traditional human-computer interaction or psychology.
- Emulating robot emotions and utilizing Wizard of Oz setups can introduce implicit deception and psychological impacts on participants.
- Anthropomorphic terminology and misleading presentations can create unrealistic expectations about robot capabilities.
- Sensors embedded in social robots pose unique data and privacy risks that may unintentionally capture sensitive household information.
- HRI practitioners need to adopt a more transparent, systematic, and interdisciplinary approach to ethical conduct and research reporting.
· 1 Introduction · 2 Ethical Issues · 3 Conclusions
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Fairness
0/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
1 INTRODUCTION
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
0/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
1 INTRODUCTION
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
3/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
Thus, as with the some of the aforementioned issues, it may be a duty for HRI researchers to be transparent regarding robot capabilities.
2 ETHICAL ISSUES
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
0/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
1 INTRODUCTION
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
2/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
one might consider the potential for psychological harm of a form typically requiring oversight by an ethical board in the context of psychology, and HCI.
2 ETHICAL ISSUES
screening score · 2026-10-23