Cities Not Ready For Robots In Public Spaces: Monash

Robots are increasingly performing visible roles in cities across Asia, but governments are lagging in developing policies that account for the broader social and economic implications of their presence, new research from Monash University has found.

The study, published in the Journal of Asian Public Policy, analysed six robot-intensive cities – Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo – to evaluate whether current policies are keeping pace with the growing deployment of robots in public settings.

Researchers examined seven areas of concern: safety, privacy and ethics, productivity, aesthetics, co-creation, equitable access and innovation. While safety had been considered in most cases, other issues received far less policy attention.

Lack Of Public Engagement In Robot Planning

Lead researcher, Professor Michael Mintrom, from the Monash School of Social Sciences, said the study revealed that most governments are not engaging with the public about what a robot-enabled future should look like.

“Only in Taipei, Tokyo and Shanghai did this research find any policy interest in co-design,” Professor Mintrom said.

“That is a policy design gap, and a curious one. Governments often express an interest in promoting innovation in the application of robots in society, which is surely good. However, what’s missing is an understanding that everyday citizens have valuable insights that could contribute to innovations in future robot uses and capabilities.”

The report raises concerns that without broader community input, the rollout of robotic technologies could result in unintended consequences, from diminished public trust to the exclusion of marginalised groups.

Policy Risks In Delegating Design To Industry

Co-author, Associate Professor Shanti Sumartojo, from Monash Art, Design and Architecture, said the research highlighted the risks of letting commercial interests dominate how robots are integrated into cities.

The study argues that policy should not simply respond to technological developments but anticipate them. This shift in mindset, the authors say, could help governments better manage the pace of change.

“We want to learn how policymaking practices can move beyond being responsive to instead be anticipatory,” Associate Professor Sumartojo said.

“Co-design can help policymakers develop anticipatory approaches to address the policy challenges of a fast-moving world.”

Call For Broader Dialogue In Australia

While the research focused on Asia, the authors say the findings are relevant for Australian cities preparing for increased automation in public life.

Professor Mintrom said governments should be proactive in understanding how people want to live alongside robots, and in identifying which aspects of human experience should be preserved.

“Robots are becoming an accepted part of the world around us, both in domestic and public spaces,” he said.

“Knowing robots will soon have a greater presence, now’s the time for governments to engage with citizens and garner their insights about what the future might look like with robots.

“‘How will we live together?’ ‘What would be desirable changes?’ ‘What should we be working to protect?’ These are not hard questions. But they’re questions that too often get pushed aside as governments react to the latest technology showing up on our streets.”

The research was funded by the Australian Research Council and forms part of a broader effort to assess the social dimensions of emerging technologies.

Last Updated on July 3, 2025 by Nick Ross