# Episode 144: Robot trust in humans - Samuele Vinanzi

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2026-02-13
- Length: 29m
- Episode: 144
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-13-episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi

## Summary

Samuele Vinanzi, a Senior Lecturer in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Sheffield Hallam University, discusses his research on 'artificial trust,' exploring how robots can evaluate whether to trust humans. He explains that this involves dynamic assessments of human reliability and commitment, utilizing cognitive skills like intention reading and theory of mind rather than static personality judgments. Vinanzi highlights applications in social collaboration, such as home care and surgical assistance, and references his book 'In Robots We Trust' to argue for proactive ethical frameworks as robots integrate into society.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-13-episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi#t=7) Introduction: Claire Asher and Samuele Vinanzi
- [2:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-13-episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi#t=161) Defining Artificial Trust and Vulnerability
- [6:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-13-episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi#t=401) Cognitive Skills: Intention Reading and Theory of Mind
- [10:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-13-episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi#t=634) Dynamic Trust: Commitment, Reliability, and Context
- [18:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-13-episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi#t=1093) Case Studies: Hitchbot and Human Abuse of Robots
- [24:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-13-episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi#t=1442) Collaborative Robots (Cobots) and Handling Human Error
- [26:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-02-13-episode-144-robot-trust-in-humans-samuele-vinanzi#t=1593) Publication: 'In Robots We Trust' and Future Integration

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Sheffield Hallam University (company)
- University of Michigan (company)
- Hitchbot (product)
- In Robots We Trust (other)
- Oxford University Press (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [375: Hiding in Your Roomba](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-06-03-375-hiding-in-your-roomba) (Embedded.fm)
- [Kate Darling on the Future of Robotics and AI Ethics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-10-24-kate-darling-on-the-future-of-robotics-and-ai-ethics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [207: I Love My Robot Monkey Head (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-03-12-207-i-love-my-robot-monkey-head-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [207: I Love My Robot Monkey Head](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-07-05-207-i-love-my-robot-monkey-head) (Embedded.fm)
- [Interview: Roboticist Ayanna Howard | Memories May Be Beautiful, And Yet | Math & Neptune](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-09-25-interview-roboticist-ayanna-howard-memories-may-be-beautiful-and-yet-math-neptun) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

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