Security Aspects of Social Robots in Public Spaces: A Systematic Mapping Study

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Human-Robot Interaction
• Cybersecurity

Background:

• Social robots are increasingly deployed in public spaces, necessitating specialized security considerations.
• Existing security standards, often designed for industrial robots, are inadequate for social robots in public settings.
• The growing integration of social robots in public spaces (SRPS) highlights the need for dedicated safety protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map and analyze the existing literature on the security aspects of social robots in public spaces (SRPS).
• To identify gaps in current security standards and propose a tailored framework for SRPS.
• To ensure the secure and ethical operation of SRPS in human-centric environments.

Main Methods:

• A systematic mapping study (SMS) was conducted, analyzing literature from the Web of Science database.
• Literature was categorized based on key security aspects: physical safety, data privacy, cybersecurity, and legal/ethical considerations.
• A structured approach was used to synthesize findings and identify research trends and gaps.

Main Results:

• A significant deficiency exists in current safety standards, which require adaptation for SRPS.
• A thematic framework consolidating essential security guidelines for SRPS was developed.
• The framework is supported by evidence from a substantial portion of the analyzed primary studies.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for comprehensive, bespoke security standards and frameworks for SRPS.
• Implementing these standards will ensure secure, ethical operation and foster public trust and acceptance.
• This research provides valuable insights for developers, policymakers, and the public regarding SRPS security.