From friendly Wall-E and helpful R2-D2 to the dystopian worlds of The Matrix and The Terminator, robots have captured our imagination and visions of the future for generations. But the time is fast approaching where interactions between humans and artificial intelligence become part and parcel of our daily routines. A new ISO standard for the safety of personal care robots has made bold steps in this direction.

Robots are already used in manufacturing, the medical field, and even as toys, but recently, a new player has appeared on the scene: the service robot. These mobile servants, physical assistants, and person carriers will revolutionize the industry and transform our lives. Capable of understanding our voice and gestures and reacting to touch, they can also connect to our nervous system and “read minds” by tapping into brain wave activity. Science fiction has become reality.

 …