Report warns of cybersecurity risks in humanoid robot boom

A new threat intelligence report warns that the rapid global scale-up of humanoid robotics, led by China, is creating a significant and imminent cybersecurity challenge that telecom operators must help address, reports Fierce Network.

According to Recorded Future's "The Future of Humanoid Robotics" report, China could eventually deploy up to 300 million such AI-powered IoT devices to counter its population decline, with billions projected worldwide by 2060. The report highlights that these connected machines are already vulnerable, citing instances like a critical Bluetooth flaw in Unitree robots that allows wireless hijacking and the potential for compromised units to form botnets.

Joe Rooke, Director of Risk Insights at Recorded Future's Insikt Group, emphasized the risks extend beyond industrial espionage to include physical threats, noting that militarized robots could theoretically be turned against their operators. The analysis positions telecom providers as critical players in mitigating this risk, arguing they have both the responsibility and the unique network telemetry capability to monitor for abnormal device behavior, verify connections, and scrutinize updates to prevent large-scale compromises of these powerful, connected assets.