What makes a good robot co-worker?

An animal charity in San Francisco has become a target for much global criticism and local abuse, all because of the behaviour of its most recent recruit: an R2-D2-style robot. The 1.5m-tall Knightscope security robot had been trundling around neighbouring car parks and alleyways recording video and stopping to say hello to passers by – but ended up being accused of harassing homeless people. A social media storm led to calls for acts of retribution, violence and vandalism against the charity. The Knightscope itself was regularly tipped over, once covered in a tarpaulin, smeared with barbecue sauce and even covered in faeces. Problems with electronic workers are becoming more common.