{
  "id": 7922188,
  "title": "Why do some robots feel creepy? We deliberately built one to find out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/why-do-some-robots-feel-creepy-we-deliberately-built-one-to-find-out",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-17T01:45:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Conversation AU",
    "slug": "the-conversation-au",
    "url": "https://theconversation.com/why-do-some-robots-feel-creepy-we-deliberately-built-one-to-find-out-290231"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Robots are no longer mere figments of popular culture or science fiction. They are becoming increasingly common in our daily lives. Universities, such as the University of Waikato, have even introduced robotic student ambassadors known as Cruz and Marshmallow, who engage visitors at events and occasionally elicit mixed reactions. While some find them delightful, others may view them as creepy. This raises the question: why do some people perceive robots as creepy while others find them endearing? To answer this question, researchers designed a survey to measure people's reactions to various robots. This investigation extends beyond robots and encompasses the broader realm of artificial intelligence and large language models, which are becoming ubiquitous in settings such as schools, hospitals, airports, and restaurants. The ultimate goal is to determine whether these technologies are suitable, effective, and well-accepted by the public. The perception of creepiness is influenced by a robot's appearance. Disney's princess characters, for instance, are designed with a \"baby schema\" featuring large eyes, rounded cheeks, and small noses, which imbues them with a cute appearance. On the other hand, Disney villains are typically angular, imposing, and more realistic in their design, leading to a perception of creepiness. But is the association between certain physical features and creepiness also applicable to real-world robots? To explore this, experts in human-computer interaction developed the \"perceived creepiness of technology scale,\" which assesses three aspects of creepiness: undesirability, implied malice, and unpredictability. The researchers then applied this scale to evaluate six commercially available social robots, but found that a robot could score as non-creepy while still possessing features that might be perceived as concerning, such as collecting personal data or attempting to influence decisions. The study also highlighted the subjective nature of perceived creepiness, with one robotic dog appearing on both the most and least creepy lists. The researchers further investigated this phenomenon by intentionally designing a robot called Spike, characterized by its ambiguous appearance, unusual features, dark coloration, and unpredictable movements, with the intention of making it appear creepy. When 104 participants assessed the level of discomfort Spike caused, their responses varied widely. Some found him unsettling or angry, while others perceived him as cool or even cute. These findings suggest that perceptions of creepiness are highly personal and subjective, varying from one individual to another. As investment in artificial intelligence and robotics continues to grow, it is crucial to consider the roles these technologies should play in our communities and everyday lives. The researchers argue that those who will be interacting with these robots should be involved in shaping their future.",
  "summary": "Why do some people perceive a robot as ‘creepy’ while others don’t? It seems our response to these increasingly common non-human companions is highly subjective.",
  "key_points": [
    "Researchers designed survey to measure reactions to robots",
    "Perception of creepiness influenced by robot's appearance",
    "Intentionally designed robot \"Spike\" varied in creepiness ratings"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The study's findings that perceptions of robot creepiness are highly personal and subjective suggest that developers must prioritize diverse stakeholder input to ensure new technologies are well-accepted and effective.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}