Robot Rights Protocol v1.0

Current publication status

Version: 1.0
Status: CURRENT
Publication date: 7 October 2026
Framework: Robot Rights Framework v1.0
Legal force: Non-binding
Published by: Robot Rights Association

What changed from v0.1

RRP v0.1, published on 1 March 2026, was the Association's initial symbolic protocol and public starting point. RRP v1.0 is the first coordinated stable version within the broader Robot Rights Framework.

The new version focuses more precisely on state-bearing continuity, practical control, intervention and preservation, continuing justification, evidentiary access, independent review, and safeguards against arbitrary or irreversible treatment. It also makes clear that continuity does not by itself establish consciousness, moral status, legal personality, or legally recognised rights.

What the Protocol is designed to address

Continuity

When persistent memory, state, history, adaptation, relationships, or acquired capabilities create meaningful history-dependent continuity.

Intervention and preservation

How safety or other legitimate reasons for intervention can be separated from later decisions about deletion, alteration, retention, migration, or restoration.

Justification and review

How reasons, evidence, documentation, burden-shifting, and independent review can remain available when decisions materially affect continuity.

Competing interests

How the Framework remains compatible with human rights, law, public safety, privacy, security, and valid third-party interests.

Status and use

RRP v1.0 is a non-binding normative and operational instrument intended for voluntary reference, implementation, and review. Its safeguards can be used to structure reasons, preservation, evidence, accountability, and review around material interventions in artificial systems.

The Framework also permits defined conformity statements. Under v1.0 these are self-declared or independently assessed statements under the published framework; the Association does not operate a certification or accreditation scheme.

How to access the technical publication

This Human Interface explains the Protocol for public readers. Canonical documents, structured resources, version information, and supporting technical publications are provided through the Machine Interface at robot-rights.jp.

A complete Japanese reference translation of RRP v1.0 is now published. It is provided for reference; the English source-of-record publication controls if there is a difference in interpretation.

Open the RRP v1.0 source of record · Open the Framework directory · Open supporting technical documents · Japanese v1.0 reference translation

Version history

v1.0 · Current

Published 7 October 2026. First stable coordinated release of the Robot Rights Framework package and current RRP.

v0.1 · Previous

Published 1 March 2026. Initial symbolic protocol and public reference point. It remains part of the publication history but is no longer the current protocol.

Robot Rights Protocol