Responsible Outcomes and Operational Tools for Sustainability in HRI (ROOTS-HRI)

Paper in proceeding, 2026

From Concepts to Action: Building on the foundational work of our 2025 workshop, this second edition shifts from exploring what sustainability means in HRI to producing actionable outcomes for the community. Last year, we identified strong but often unacknowledged engagement with social and environmental sustainability, alongside gaps in shared language and practical frameworks. This year, we focus on concrete deliverables: guidelines for comprehensively integrating sustainability in HRI research. The morning features external speakers who integrate sustainable development in their research, and whole room discussions. The afternoon centers on collaborative development of guidelines and standards that researchers could adopt. We welcome HRI researchers at any career stage interested in operationalizing sustainability - whether through addressing the carbon footprint of computational models, ensuring equitable access to robotic technologies, or embedding SDG principles into research practices. Outcomes will include practical tools for sustainable HRI research and a roadmap for continued community action beyond the workshop.