It is a well-known challenge for robot designers, developers and manufacturers that certain personalities and characteristics of people can result in resistance towards or outright refusal of human-robot interactions. With this in mind, we conducted qualitative research to collect information about what people think about some typical robots (Spot, Atlas, Lovot). Fifty-eight participants were interviewed during focus group sessions. Based on responses, we could conclude that the Spot robot was considered ugly and primarily useless, the Atlas was regarded neutrally and in Lovot’s case participants blamed developers of such robots and societies that encouraged this type of robots. Our main contribution is qualitative data about opinions of these robots, which can be crucial feedback information for developers.

It is a well-known challenge for robot designers, developers and manufacturers that certain personalities and characteristics of people can result in resistance towards or outright refusal of human-robot interactions. With this in mind, we conducted qualitative research to collect information about what people think about some typical robots (Spot, Atlas, Lovot). Fifty-eight participants were interviewed during focus group sessions. Based on responses, we could conclude that the Spot robot was considered ugly and primarily useless, the Atlas was regarded neutrally and in Lovot’s case participants blamed developers of such robots and societies that encouraged this type of robots. Our main contribution is qualitative data about opinions of these robots, which can be crucial feedback information for developers.