Bluerydge Director Leading the Way in Making Robotic Systems Safer for Humans

Bluerydge Director Adam Haskard works at the intersection of cybersecurity, robotics, and emerging technology, with expertise in making complex cyber-physical systems secure and trustworthy. 

His joint research paper on Secure Robotics has been published in one of the world’s most respected computer science journals, ACM.  

Adam’s research provides a mathematical framework for improving safety, trustworthiness, and security of robotic systems. This paper proposes that all aspects of robotic design and operation should be allied to protect users against robotic malfunction, unethical hacking, corruption, and even physical harm. 

What is ‘Secure Robotics’ in a nutshell?  

The concept of ‘Secure robotics’ focuses on progressing the safety measures for robotic systems that have the potential to harm humans and the environment if misused. This vitally important emerging field of study combines cybersecurity best practice, robotic engineering, and data protection. 

Understanding the Need for ‘Secure Robotics—Navigating Safety, Trust, and Cybersecurity in Cyber-Physical Systems’ 

The rapid spread and integration of robots and AI into everyday life has revealed serious risks and threats, including people getting hurt, data being stolen, and ultimately loss of human confidence in robotic machines.  

In 2024, Amazon had over 750,000 robots working alongside humans on their factory floors, but not without fear and trepidation from the human coworkers thanks to constant fearmongering and media coverage about robotic malfunctions. In 2023, a robot working in a Tesla factory malfunctioned and attacked an engineer leaving him injured and bloody. In 2018, a medical robot was blamed for the death of a man named Stephen Pettitt during a routine operation. And then there are countless viral stories popping up about robovacs being hacked, and private, personal data being stolen. 

Understanding and mitigating these kinds of risks is essential for the ethical evolution of human-centric robotic technologies. 

Safety Considerations in Brief 

According to Adam’s research, robotic systems - especially autonomous machines like self-driving cars and logistics-bots - must be constructed with the strongest possible safety mechanisms to prevent human harm and environmental damage. Developing and implementing fail-safe cybersecurity mechanisms and following international safety standards are vital to ensuring that these systems operate reliably and safely, even in unpredictable situations. Imagine the implications of a health-care robot being hacked or losing connection in a war zone.

Human-Robot Trust in Short 

Trust is essential in human-robot relationships and interactions. Humans are more likely to employ and work alongside robotic systems that are perceived as trustworthy, safe, and reliable. Establishing and maintaining this trust involves clear processes, proven cybersecurity measures, operational consistency, and ethical considerations in the design and deployment of these robotic systems.  

Cybersecurity Challenges 

Modern robotic systems are designed to interface with very complex online networks, which in turn, makes them highly vulnerable to cyber threats. Protecting these systems from attack requires the most advanced and durable cybersecurity measures, including regular software updates to constantly build resilience against these evolving threats. Failure to build a strong guard against these risks can lead to catastrophic results like unauthorised access to confidential data and manipulation of robotic functions for unethical purposes, not to mention physical harm to human users. 

The ‘Secure Robotics’ Paradigm 

The ‘secure robotics’ paradigm discussed in the paper proposes an integration of safety, trust, and cybersecurity into a unified framework. This approach ensures that all aspects of robotic design and operation are allied to protect against threats and failures. Implementing this paradigm involves:  

• Risk Assessment: Identifying and evaluating potential risks in the system's operation and environment.  

   

• Resilient Design: Developing systems capable of maintaining functionality under adverse conditions.  

   

• Continuous Monitoring: Implementing real-time monitoring to detect and respond to anomalies promptly.  

   

Conclusion 

As robotic systems continue to evolve and integrate into critical sectors, as well as everyday civilian life, adopting a ‘Secure Robotics’ framework will ensure that these new and advancing technologies will continue to contribute positively to society, without fear and human resistance. 

Note: The information in this article is based on the research article "Secure Robotics: Navigating Challenges at the Nexus of Safety, Trust, and Cybersecurity in Cyber-Physical Systems" by Bluerydge’s Adam Haskard alongside Damith Herath, published in ACM February 2025.