IEEE Group Lays Groundwork for Humanoid Robot Standards to Ensure Safety and Trust

As investment and development in humanoid robots accelerate, a key question has shadowed the industry: How do we ensure these complex machines are safe, reliable, and trustworthy enough to operate in our homes, factories, and public spaces? A newly published report from the IEEE Humanoid Study Group provides the first comprehensive answer, establishing a foundational framework to guide the creation of urgently needed standards.

The document, titled "A Pathway Study For Future Humanoid Standards," is not a standard itself, but a strategic roadmap. For over a year, a diverse group of more than 60 experts from industry, academia, and regulatory bodies collaborated to identify the critical gaps in existing robotics standards and propose a coordinated path forward.

The core finding is that current standards—designed for fixed industrial arms or statically stable wheeled robots—are insufficient for the unique challenges posed by humanoids. The report zeroes in on three interconnected pillars that must be addressed: Classification, Stability, and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI).

"This report is a starting line, not a finish line," Aaron Prather, director of the robotics & autonomous systems program at ASTM International and the study group's lead, told The Robot Report. "We now need to turn the recommendations into concrete standards, testing protocols, and certification pathways."

Defining the Field: The Need for Classification

Before standards can be written, there must be an agreement on what exactly is being standardized. The report argues that a clear classification system, or taxonomy, is the essential first step. Rather than relying on a vague, appearance-based definition of "humanoid," the group recommends classifying robots based on measurable criteria:

Physical Capabilities: Locomotion type (e.g., bipedal), dexterity, and sensory systems.
Behavioral Complexity: The degree of autonomy and adaptive behavior.
Application Domains: The intended environment, such as industrial, healthcare, or public service.

This shared language would allow manufacturers, customers, and regulators to identify which standards apply to a specific machine and what performance can be expected, forming the bedrock upon which all other safety and performance rules are built.

Stability: The Critical Bottleneck

Perhaps the most significant barrier to widespread humanoid deployment is stability. Unlike their wheeled counterparts, bipedal robots exist in a state of managed instability. A power loss or an unexpected shove doesn't just stop the machine; it can cause a 150-pound robot to fall, posing a significant hazard.

The report identifies this as a "critical bottleneck," noting that existing standards have an "unwritten assumption" that robots are statically stable. There are currently no standardized metrics to quantify dynamic balance or test methods to validate a humanoid's ability to remain upright while walking, carrying loads, or recovering from disturbances.

The proposed solution is a two-pronged approach: first, develop performance standards with quantifiable metrics and repeatable test methods. Second, use these metrics to establish minimum safety thresholds within formal safety standards, guiding the development of fall-response behaviors and predictive risk models.

Human-Robot Interaction: Managing Trust and Perception

The third pillar addresses the complex social and psychological dimensions of humanoids. Because they look and move like us, people naturally project human-like intelligence and expectations onto them. This can lead to "overtrust," where individuals might take risks around a robot they wouldn't with a more machine-like device.

The framework calls for HRI standards that go beyond preventing physical collisions. Future guidelines should focus on:

Interpretable Behavior: Establishing rules for how a robot uses motion and body language to clearly signal its intentions.
Collaborative Safety: Extending existing standards for collaborative robots to account for a humanoid's mobility and potential to fall.
Expectation Management: Standardizing how a robot's capabilities are communicated to users to prevent misunderstanding.

The Path Forward

The publication of this framework marks a pivotal moment for the humanoid industry. It provides a coordinated plan for Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) like IEEE, ASTM, and ISO to work together.

However, the process will take time. Prather estimates it will be 18 to 36 months before the first ratified standards based on this work are published. This timeline suggests that while early pilot programs will continue, the widespread, volume deployment of humanoids in collaborative, human-centric environments is unlikely to occur before 2027. For now, the industry has its homework: turning this crucial roadmap into the rules that will ultimately allow humanoids to safely walk among us.