The role of social robots in dentistry: security, privacy and future prospects
22. Miller J, Williams A B, Perouli D. A Case Study on the Cybersecurity of Social Robots. Companion of the 2018 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction. 2018. 23. YouTube. COMP3000. 2023. Available at (accessed 14 February 2024). 24.
robot
Key takeaways
- The most recent developments in humanoid robotics include Russia’s debut of its first AI‑powered humanoid, AIDOL, which dramatically lost balance and fell on stage during a Moscow technology showcase on November 14, 2025, prompting organizers to pull the robot from view and highlighting ongoing challenges in calibration and lighting for new bipedal systems.
- In contrast, Chinese firm UBTech announced on November 17, 2025 that it has begun mass‑production of its Walker S2 humanoid, a model that can autonomously swap its depleted battery pack for a fresh one, enabling near‑continuous operation without human intervention, and is already secured by a 159‑million‑yuan data‑center contract.
- Meanwhile, a study published the same day ranked Boston Dynamics’ Atlas as the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, noting its 9 km/h speed, 18 kg payload, and 50 degrees of freedom, while China’s Unitree H2 placed fourth with notable agility and dexterity.
- These stories illustrate a split in the field: high‑profile setbacks for emerging entrants alongside significant strides in autonomy and performance from established manufacturers.
- Miller J, Williams A B, Perouli D. A Case Study on the Cybersecurity of Social Robots. Companion of the 2018 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction. 2018.
- YouTube. COMP3000. 2023. Available at (accessed 14 February 2024).
- Lee M K, Kiesler S, Forlizzi J. Receptionist or Information Kiosk: How Do People Talk with a Robot? Proceedings of the 2010 ACM Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work. 2010. 9. Shapiro M, Melmed R N, Sgan-Cohen H D, Parush S. Effect of sensory adaptation on anxiety of children with developmental disabilities: a new approach. Pediatr Dent 2009; 31: 222–228.
- Yasemin M, Kasımoglu Y, Kocaaydın S, Karslı E, Ince E B T, Ince G. Reduction of Dental Anxiety and Pain in Children Using Robots. Proceedings from the Ninth International Conference on Advances in Computer-Human Interactions. 2016. 14. Broadbent E. Interactions with robots: the truths we reveal about ourselves. Annu Rev Psychol 2017; 68: 627–652.
- Van Straten C L, Peter J, Kühne R. Child-robot relationship formation: a narrative review of empirical research. Int J Soc Robot 2020; 12: 325–344.
- Sharkey N, Sharkey A J. The crying shame of robot nannies: an ethical appraisal. Interact Stud 2010; 11: 161–190.