The International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) commenced yesterdayv in Rotterdam, marking its 40th anniversary. The event, which highlights advancements in robotics across four decades, covers a wide array of academic research. Keynote addresses, breakout sessions, and individual presentations feature discussions on various aspects of robotics, with a recurring theme focused on human-robot interaction. Topics under examination include safety, perception, consciousness, and the collaboration of robots with humans, both in industrial environments and broader societal contexts.