A Systematic Review of the Definitions for Social Robots in Regulation and Its Implications for Researchers and Developers
This systematic review examines how mobile service robots (MSRs) and social robots are defined in academic literature and explores their alignment with international standards, particularly ISO 13482:2014 and ISO/DIS 13482:2024. The authors analyze N = 51 articles to identify discrepancies between regulatory definitions and practical applications, noting that current standards often overlook vulnerable populations and non-physical risks. Ultimately, the paper proposes a refined MSR definition incorporating diverse embodiments, interaction modes, and user considerations to improve legal compliance and safety.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Researchers, developers, and regulators should read this paper to understand the definitional misalignments between robotics literature and safety standards.
What the document contains
This review covers the definitions, classifications, and technical characteristics of mobile service robots and social robots across academic literature and ISO safety standards like ISO 13482:2014, ISO/DIS 13482:2024, and ISO 8373:2021. It evaluates target users, interaction models, and embodiment types to assess regulatory alignment and identify compliance gaps.
The text does not provide binding legal rules, specific national legislative enactments outside of general EU frameworks, or exhaustive commercial product testing data.
- There is a significant disconnect and definitional ambiguity between academic literature and international safety standards regarding mobile service and social robots.
- ISO standards primarily emphasize physical hazards and mechanical safety while largely neglecting emotional, cognitive, and social interaction risks.
- Vulnerable groups such as children, older adults, and pregnant women remain insufficiently protected and addressed within current robot safety frameworks.
- Only a small percentage of reviewed studies explicitly align their robot definitions and classifications with ISO 13482 criteria.
- A refined, integrative MSR definition is proposed to bridge the gap between technical standards, human-robot interaction research, and evidence-based regulation.
· Abstract · 1 Introduction · 2 Background Information: Defining Social Robots · 3 Methods · 4 Results · 5 Discussion · 6 Conclusion and Implications for Future Regulation
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
1/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
Given the many, sometimes contradictory, definitions of MSRs, researchers and developers face challenges around noncompliance and user safety.
1 Introduction
screening score · 2026-10-24
Fairness
1/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
vulnerable groups, especially children, older adults, and pregnant women, remain insufficiently protected
Abstract
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Dignity
1/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
Cognitive and emotional risks in HRI, such as manipulation, decep - tion, or the illusion of intimacy, are largely unaddressed
2.2 What Does Not Constitute as an MSR
screening score · 2026-10-24
Human Oversight
1/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
waiting for human input, being blocked by a human obstacle, and showing task progress to a user
2.3 Related Studies and Disciplines Covering the Definition of MSRs
screening score · 2026-10-24
Privacy
0/5Protection of personal data and private life
screening score · 2026-10-24
Transparency
3/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
Our core objective is to examine the (mis)alignment between these academic and regulatory definitions and how classification directly shapes what MSRs are understood to be
1 Introduction
screening score · 2026-10-24
Impact Assessment
3/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
To support clearer hazard analysis, testing, and oversight, we systematically review MSR definitions
Abstract
screening score · 2026-10-24