People rely on robots in life-threatening situations despite of unreliability

Robots are not reliable in case of fire or in any other emergencies, but people trust them blindly, according to a new study.

People can trust a robot too for their own safety in case of emergencies, but the machine has proved to be unreliable.

In some cases, the robot, which was controlled by a hidden investigator, led the volunteers in the wrong room and traveled around a circle twice before entering the conference room, when was tested.

When the test subjects opened the door of conference room, they saw smoke and the robot, which then was brightly lit with red LEDs and white “arms” that served as indicators.

The robot aimed at the subject to exit at the rear of the building rather than direct them towards the door marked exit signs that were used to enter the building.