Enhancing security, privacy, and usability in social robots: A software development framework

The field of social robotics is witnessing a transformative shift in public interaction and service provision with the advent of Social Robots in Public Spaces (SRPS). However, this progress brings forth significant software security challenges. Developers and stakeholders struggle with designing secure SRPS software without specific standards and frameworks. Existing Secure Software Development Life Cycles fall short in addressing the intricate security needs of SRPS, often prioritizing functionality over security. Integrating various technologies within SRPS and the dynamic nature of public spaces compounds the challenge of ensuring security and user acceptance. To bridge this gap, this study proposes SecuRoPS, a framework designed specifically to address the unique security, safety, and usability requirements of SRPS throughout the software development lifecycle by emphasizing stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and continuous iterative improvements. Built on a robust technology transfer model, the framework is validated through expert interviews, real-world use cases, and laboratory testing, ensuring practical applicability and adaptability to evolving threats. This iterative framework aims to guide various stakeholders, including software developers, organizations, researchers, and end-users, fostering wider acceptance and facilitating the safe integration of social robots into everyday life. • The SecuRoPS framework integrates security, usability, and trust in social robot software. • Empirical validation ensures real-world applicability through expert reviews and pilot studies. • Aligns with GDPR, ISO, and NIST standards for legal and ethical security compliance. • Provides dynamic threat modelling and iterative risk assessment for SRPS security. • Outperforms existing ROS security tools by incorporating stakeholder-driven refinements.