Alle Publikationen
2019
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(2019) : Social Robots in Therapy and Care: 2019 14th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Daegu, Korea: IEEE, S. 669-670
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/HRI.2019.8673243 Abstract: The Social Robots in Therapy workshop series aims at advancing research topics related to the use of robots in the contexts of Social Care and Robot-Assisted Therapy (RAT). Robots in social care and therapy have been a long time promise in HRI as they have the opportunity to improve patients life significantly. Multiple challenges have to be addressed for this, such as building platforms that work in proximity with patients, therapists and health-care professionals; understanding user needs; developing adaptive and autonomous robot interactions; and addressing ethical questions regarding the use of robots with a vulnerable population. The full-day workshop follows last year’s edition which centered on how social robots can improve health-care interventions, how increasing the degree of autonomy of the robots might affect therapies, and how to overcome the ethical challenges inherent to the use of robot assisted technologies. This 2nd edition of the workshop will be focused on the importance of equipping social robots with socio-emotional intelligence and the ability to perform meaningful and personalized interactions. This workshop aims to bring together researchers and industry experts in the fields of Human-Robot Interaction, Machine Learning and Robots in Health and Social Care. It will be an opportunity for all to share and discuss ideas, strategies and findings to guide the design and development of robot-assisted systems for therapy and social care implementations that can provide personalize, natural, engaging and autonomous interactions with patients (and health-care providers).
Keywords: Adaptive Behaviors, adaptive robot interactions, autonomous robot interactions, biomedical education, Conferences, ethical aspects, Health Care, health-care interventions, health-care professionals, health-care providers, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, medical robotics, Medical treatment, Mobile robots, Moral & Ethik, patient treatment, Personalized Behaviors, Radio access technologies, robot assisted technologies, Robot kinematics, robot-assisted systems, robot-assisted therapy, Robots in Therapy, service robot, social care implementations, Social intelligence, social robots, Supervised Autonomy -
(2019) : The Dark Side of Human-Robot Interaction: Ethical Considerations and Community Guidelines for the Field of HRI: 2019 14th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Daegu, Korea: IEEE, S. 689-690
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/HRI.2019.8673184 Abstract: The HRI community is working to develop interactive robots for a wide variety of pro-social tasks and ideals. As such we naturally focus on the positive side of HRI including how robots and humans may collaborate and the benefits of doing so. This workshop, in contrast, will focus on the dark side of HRI with the goal of identifying, understanding and guarding against the potential negative consequences of interactive robots. The primary objective of the workshop is to articulate and discuss the most pertinent ethical issues facing the HRI community and to develop a set of common community guidelines.
Keywords: common community guidelines, Conferences, Consumer Protection, Data Protection, ethical aspects, ethical considerations, Ethics, GUIDELINES, HRI community, human-robot interaction, Humans, ideals, ieee xplore, interactive robots, Law, Moral & Ethik, Persuasive Robots, pertinent ethical issues, pro-social tasks, PSYCHOLOGY, Robot Ethics, Robot sensing systems, workshop -
(2019) : Cuteness as a ‘Dark Pattern’ in Home Robots: 2019 14th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Daegu, Korea: IEEE, S. 374-381
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/HRI.2019.8673274 Abstract: Dark patterns are a recent phenomenon in the field of interaction design, where design patterns and behavioral psychology are deployed in ways that deceive the user. However, the current corpus of dark patterns literature focuses largely on screen-based digital interactions and should be expanded to include home robots. In this paper, we apply the concept of dark patterns to the ‘cute’ aesthetic of home robots and suggest that their design constitutes a dark pattern in HRI by (1) emphasizing short-term gains over long-term decisions; (2) depriving users of some degree of conscious agency at the site of interaction; and (3) creating an affective response in the user for the purpose of collecting emotional data. This exploratory paper expands the current library of dark patterns and their application to new technological interfaces into the domain of home robotics in order to establish the grounds for an ethical design practice in HRI.
Keywords: Affect, dark patterns, data ethics, Data privacy, Design, design patterns, emotion, emotion recognition, ethical aspects, ethical design practice, Ethics, Home computing, home robots, HRI, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, Interaction, Moral & Ethik, privacy, PSYCHOLOGY, Robot sensing systems, Software, surveillance capitalism, user experience design 2018
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(2018): Ethics for Robots as Experimental Technologies: Pairing Anticipation with Exploration to Evaluate the Social Impact of Robotics. In: IEEE Robotics Automation Magazine 25 (1), S. 30-36. DOI: 10.1109/MRA.2017.2781543
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MRA.2017.2781543 Abstract: The evaluation of the societal impact of autonomous technologies, particularly robotics, has grown in technological contexts (e.g., see [14] and the IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems [20]), as well as broader political contexts (e.g., see the 2017 European Parliament report regarding civil law rules on robotics [21]). In this article, we adopt the perspective that conceptualizes new technologies as social experiments, stressing their experimental character to deal with the inherent uncertainty that affects their behavior. We suggest that the kind of experiments performed when evaluating robots in specific contexts of use are explorative experiments, i.e., investigations carried out in the absence of a proper theory or theoretical background that diverge from the traditional notion of controlled experiments. Considering this epistemological shift, we apply the ethical framework proposed by van de Poel for experimental technologies to the case of robotics, and we discuss its implications on the design of robots. To make our discussion more concrete, we reference the field of robots for search and rescue, which offers a challenging opportunity to test socioethical approaches to the development of robots and their interactions with environments and humans.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, autonomous robots, autonomous technologies, ethical aspects, Ethics, experimental technologies, ieee xplore, Künstliche Intelligenz, Law, Monitoring, Politics, Robotics, Robots, service robot, social aspects of automation, Social implications of technology, technological contexts -
(2018) : ETHICAL FRAMEWORK FOR MACHINE LEARNING: 2018 ITU Kaleidoscope: Machine Learning for a 5G Future (ITU K): Santa Fe, Argentina: IEEE, S. 1-8
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23919/ITU-WT.2018.8597767 Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) with its core subset of Machine Learning (ML) is rapidly transforming life experiences as humans begin to grow more dependent on these ‘smart machines’ for their needs - ranging from routine mundane chores to critical personal decisions. However, these transformative technologies are at the same time proving unpredictable too as has been reported worldwide in certain cases. Therefore, several studies/reports, such as COMEST report on Robotics ethics (UNESCO, 2017) point to an obvious need for inculcating more ethical behavior in machines. The present study aims to look at the role and interplay of ML (the hard sciences) and Ethics (the soft sciences) to resolve such predicaments that are inadvertently manifested by machines not constrained or controlled by human expectations. Based on focused review of literature of both domains-ML and Ethics, the proposed paper attempts to first build on the need for introduction of an ethical algorithm in the domain of machine learning and then endeavors to provide a conceptual framework to resolve the ethical dilemmas.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Artificial intelligence/machine learning, Big Data, COMEST report, critical personal decisions, Decision Making, design approach, domains-ML, emotional quotient, ethical algorithm, ethical aspects, ethical behavior, ethical dilemmas, ethical framework, Ethics, hard sciences, human expectations, ieee xplore, learning (artificial intelligence), machine learning, Machine learning algorithms, Moral & Ethik, Prediction algorithms, robotic ethics, Robots, routine mundane chores, smart machines, soft sciences, spiritual quotient, transformative technologies -
(2018) : Ethical and Social Considerations for the Introduction of Human-Centered Technologies at Work: 2018 IEEE Workshop on Advanced Robotics and its Social Impacts (ARSO): Genoa, Italy: IEEE Robotics & Automation Society, S. 131-138
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ARSO.2018.8625830 Abstract: Human-centered technologies such as collaborative robots, exoskeletons, and wearable sensors are rapidly spreading in industry and manufacturing because of their intrinsic potential at assisting workers and improving their working conditions. The deployment of these technologies, albeit inevitable, poses several ethical and societal issues. Guidelines for ethically aligned design of autonomous and intelligent systems do exist, however we argue that ethical recommendations must necessarily be complemented by an analysis of the social impact of these technologies. In this paper, we report on our preliminary studies on the opinion of factory workers and of people outside this environment on human-centered technologies at work. In light of these studies, we discuss ethical and social considerations for deploying these technologies in a way that improves acceptance.
Keywords: Collaboration, collaborative robots, control engineering computing, ethical aspects, ethical considerations, ethical issues, ethical recommendations, ethically aligned design, exoskeletons, Human Computer Interaction, Human Factors, human-centered technologies, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, Interviews, knowledge based systems, Moral & Ethik, Production facilities, Robot sensing systems, social aspects of automation, social considerations, societal issues, user centred design, wearable sensors, working conditions -
(2018) : Care Robot Transparency Isn’t Enough for Trust: 2018 IEEE Region Ten Symposium (Tensymp): Sydney, Australia: IEEE, S. 293-297
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TENCONSpring.2018.8692047 Abstract: A recent study featuring a new kind of care robot indicated that participants expect a robot’s ethical decision-making to be transparent to develop trust, even though the same type of ‘inspection of thoughts’ isn’t expected of a human carer. At first glance, this might suggest that robot transparency mechanisms are required for users to develop trust in robot-made ethical decisions. But the participants were found to desire transparency only when they didn’t know the specifics of a human-robot social interaction. Humans trust others without observing their thoughts, which implies other means of determining trustworthiness. The study reported here suggests that the method is social interaction and observation, signifying that trust is a social construct. Moreover, that ‘social determinants of trust’ are the transparent elements. This socially determined behaviour draws on notions of virtue ethics. If a caregiver (nurse or robot) consistently provides good, ethical care, then patients can trust that caregiver to do so often. The same social determinants may apply to care robots and thus it ought to be possible to trust them without the ability to see their thoughts. This study suggests why transparency mechanisms may not be effective in helping to develop trust in care robot ethical decision-making. It suggests that roboticists need to build sociable elements into care robots to help patients to develop patient trust in the care robot’s ethical decision-making.
Keywords: care robot ethical decision-making, care robot transparency, Decision Making, ethical aspects, healthcare robotics, Human robot interaction, human-robot interaction, human-robot social interaction, ieee xplore, machine transparency, medical robotics, Moral & Ethik, Patient Care, patient trust, Robot Ethics, robot-made ethical decisions, socially determined behaviour -
(2018) : From social interaction to ethical AI: a developmental roadmap: 2018 Joint IEEE 8th International Conference on Development and Learning and Epigenetic Robotics (ICDL-EpiRob): Tokyo, Japan: IEEE, S. 204-211
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/DEVLRN.2018.8761023 Abstract: AI and robot ethics have recently gained a lot of attention because adaptive machines are increasingly involved in ethically sensitive scenarios and cause incidents of public outcry. Much of the debate has been focused on achieving highest moral standards in handling ethical dilemmas on which not even humans can agree, which indicates that the wrong questions are being asked. We suggest to address this ethics debate strictly through the lens of what behavior seems socially acceptable, rather than idealistically ethical. Learning such behavior puts the debate into the very heart of developmental robotics. This paper poses a roadmap of computational and experimental questions to address the development of socially acceptable machines. We emphasize the need for social reward mechanisms and learning architectures that integrate these while reaching beyond limitations of plain reinforcement-learning agents. We suggest to use the metaphor of “needs” to bridge rewards and higher level abstractions such as goals for both communication and action generation in a social context. We then suggest a series of experimental questions and possible platforms and paradigms to guide future research in the area.
Keywords: adaptive machines, Artificial intelligence, control engineering computing, Decision Making, developmental roadmap, developmental robotics, ethical AI, ethical aspects, ethically sensitive scenarios, Ethics, Face, ieee xplore, Künstliche Intelligenz, learning (artificial intelligence), plain reinforcement-learning agents, Robot Ethics, robot programming, Robot sensing systems, social interaction, social reward mechanisms, socially acceptable machines, standards 2017
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(2017) : Beyond Moral Dilemmas: Exploring the Ethical Landscape in HRI: 2017 12th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI: Vienna, Austria: Association for Computing Machinery, S. 445-452
Abstract: HRI research has yielded intriguing empirical results connected to ethics and how we act in social contexts with robots, even though much of this work has focused on task-based, one-on-one interaction. In this paper, we point to the need to investigate a wider range of ethically relevant dynamics that interaction with robots carries with it - individually and in groups, with a single robot or more. We specifically examine three areas: 1) the primacy and implicit dynamics of bodily perception, 2) the competing interests at work in a single robot-human interaction, and 3) the social intricacy of multiple agents - robots and humans - communicating and making decisions. While these areas are not exhaustive by any means, we find they yield concrete directions for how HRI can contribute to a widening, intensifying set of ethical debates with critical empirical insight, starting to explore more of the ethical landscape in HRI.
Keywords: critical empirical insight, Decision Making, ethical aspects, ethical debates, ethical landscape, ethically relevant dynamics, Ethics, Ethics in HRI, HRI research, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, implicit dynamics, Law, Moral & Ethik, moral dilemmas, multiple agents, robot dynamics, Robot sensing systems, robot-human interaction, social contexts, social intricacy, Task Analysis -
(2017): Ethics in Robotics Research: CERNA Mission and Context. In: IEEE Robotics Automation Magazine 24 (3), S. 139-145. DOI: 10.1109/MRA.2016.2611586
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MRA.2016.2611586 Abstract: This article summarizes the recommendations concerning robotics as issued by the Commission for the Ethics of Research in Information Sciences and Technologies (CERNA), the French advisory commission for the ethics of information and communication technology (ICT) research. Robotics has numerous applications in which its role can be overwhelming and may lead to unexpected consequences. In this rapidly evolving technological environment, CERNA does not set novel ethical standards but seeks to make ethical deliberation inseparable from scientific activity. Additionally, it provides tools and guidance for researchers and research institutions.
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(2017) : Fourth Industrial Revolution and the future of Engineering: Could Robots Replace Human Jobs? How Ethical Recommendations can Help Engineers Rule on Artificial Intelligence: 2017 7th World Engineering Education Forum (WEEF): Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: IEEE, S. 21-26
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/WEEF.2017.8466973 Abstract: The current economic crisis, combined with the sudden increased use of Information Technology (IT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in human life presents new challenges and opportunities for engineering education and jobs. Engineering education needs to undergo a revolution; ethical issues that involve AI and the use of technologies need to be inserted in the learning process urgently to guarantee the employment of our future engineers. In this work we identified and evaluated issues and candidate recommendations from initiatives like “The IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems” and “USA NSTC’s Subcommittee on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence” in order to provide a set of ethical principles and recommendations that are conversant with Engineering ethics defined by “Engineering Criteria 2000”. Some of these ethical principles and recommendations are highlighted with the objective of introducing AI in engineering education and improve the connections between technology and society.
Keywords: AI, Artificial intelligence, candidate recommendations, Companies, control engineering education, economic crisis, Engineering Criteria 2000, engineering education, Engineering ethics, ethical aspects, ethical considerations, ethical issues, ethical principles, ethical recommendations, fourth industrial revolution, human life, ieee xplore, Industries, Industry 4.0, Information technology, intelligent robots, Labor Market, Law, learning (artificial intelligence), Moral & Ethik, service robot -
(2017) : An intervening ethical governor for a robot mediator in patient-caregiver relationship: Implementation and evaluation: 2017 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA): Marina Bay Sands, Singapore: IEEE Robotics & Automation Society, S. 2936-2942
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICRA.2017.7989340 Abstract: A robot mediator can enhance the quality of patient care in a health care context. Patients with Parkinson’s disease can experience difficulties in precisely expressing their emotions due to the loss of control of their facial musculature, leading to their stigmatization by caregivers. To remedy this challenge, a robot mediator can be inserted into a patient-caregiver relationship. In this context, it is essential to handle the ethical issues of neglect to ensure human dignity. In an earlier paper [19], we proposed an intervening ethical governor (IEG) model, which enables a robot to ethically intervene in a situation where patients or caregivers go across accepted ethical boundaries. In this paper, we show how the IEG model can be implemented and applied in a real robotics system. In addition, by conducting interviews with the target population (adults 60 years of age or older), we evaluate the current intervention rules in the model, discuss potential improvements to the model, and consider uses of the model in real clinical contexts.
Keywords: Diseases, ethical aspects, ethical boundaries, ethical governor, facial musculature, Health Care, health care context, human dignity, ieee xplore, IEG model, intervening ethical governor model, Interviews, medical robotics, Medical services, Monitoring, Moral & Ethik, Parkinson disease, Patient Care, patient-caregiver relationship, real clinical contexts, real robotics system, robot mediator, Sensors, service robot, Stigmatization, Videos 2016
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(2016): Roboethics: Sharing Our World with Humanlike Robots. In: IEEE Potentials 35 (1), S. 24-28. DOI: 10.1109/MPOT.2014.2364491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MPOT.2014.2364491 Abstract: Major debates surround the field of robotics, making the potential development of humanlike robots one of the most controversial facets of modern technology. This is the result of the technology’s young age. A new technology must meet a number of requirements before people will reach an agreement on it; legal, social, and global considerations must be explored before robotics applications will be accepted by society.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, ethical aspects, Ethics, global considerations, humanlike robots, Humanoid Robots, Humanoids, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, legal considerations, Moral & Ethik, roboethics, robotics applications, Robots, social considerations, Social factors, Social implications of technology -
(2016) : The ethical risk of attachment how to identify, investigate and predict potential ethical risks in the development of social companion robots: 2016 11th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Christchurch, New Zealand: IEEE Press, S. 367-374
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/HRI.2016.7451774 Abstract: In this paper we present the Triple-A Model intended as a framework for researchers and developers to incorporate ethics in the user-and robot-centered design of social companion robots. The purpose of the model is to help identifying potential ethical risks in the implementation of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) scenarios. We base our model on three interaction levels, which companion robots can offer: Assistance, Adaptation, and Attachment (Triple-A). Every single interaction level has its specific potential ethical risks, which can be addressed during the robot development phase. However, we especially focus on the prominent ethical risks of long-term human-robot attachment and its implications on human-robot relationships. We discuss the practical use and the theoretical foundation of the Triple-A model which is well-grounded in the social role theory from sociology and the human cognitive-mnestic structure from cognitive science.
Keywords: assistance adaptation, Attachment, bonding, Cognition, Cognitive Science, ethical aspects, ethical risk, Ethics, HRI, human cognitive-mnestic structure, human-robot attachment, human-robot interaction, human-robot interaction scenarios, human-robot relationships, ieee xplore, Moral & Ethik, robot companions, robot development phase, robot-centered design, social companion robots, Social role, social role theory, socially assistive robots, triple-A model, user centred design, user-centered design -
(2016) : Japanese students apply same moral norms to humans and robot agents: Considering a moral HRI in terms of different cultural and academic backgrounds: 2016 11th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Christchurch, New Zealand: IEEE Press, S. 457-458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/HRI.2016.7451804 Abstract: An investigation was conducted into how Japanese students apply moral norms to humans and robot agents. The result revealed that they applied the same moral norm to both. This result was different from that of a former experiment done by Malle et al. A possible interpretation discussed is that such a difference would be caused by the participants’ cultural or academic background.
2015
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(2015) : Civilized collaboration: Ethical architectures for enforcing legal requirements and mediating social norms in HRI: 2015 International Conference on Collaboration Technologies and Systems (CTS): Atlanta, Georgia, USA: IEEE
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/CTS.2015.7210394 Abstract: The ways in which we treat each other, typically underpinned by an ethical theory, serve as a foundation for civilized activity. Bounds and requirements are established for normal and acceptable interactions between humans. If we are to create robotic systems to reside among us, they must also adhere to a set of related values that humans operate under. This talk first describes the importance of such conventions in human-robot interaction, then outlines a way forward including the difficult research questions remaining to be confronted in ethical human robot interaction (HRI). In particular, examples involving architectures using ethical governors, moral emotions, responsibility advisors and theories of mind are described in two quite different contexts: warfare [1,2] and the maintenance of human dignity in healthcare [3-5]. Even the role of deception must be considered as an important adjunct to HRI, as it may yield more effective intentional and autonomous social robots if properly deployed [6-7]. Finally, we can consider how robots may eventually be able to engineer more socially just human beings via nudging and the ethical questions associated with using such devices [8].
Keywords: autonomous social robots, civilized activity, civilized collaboration, Computer architecture, Context, ethical architectures, ethical aspects, ethical governors, ethical human robot interaction, Ethical Theory, Ethics, HRI, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, legal requirements, Medical services, Moral & Ethik, Moral emotions, responsibility advisors, robotic systems, Robots, service robot, Social Norms -
(2015) : Research ethics in human-computer interaction: A review of ethical concerns in the past five years: 2015 2nd National Foundation for Science and Technology Development Conference on Information and Computer Science (NICS): Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: IEEE, S. 180-185
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/NICS.2015.7302187 Abstract: In recent years, novel technologies have been introduced to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research community. Research contexts and the range of studies have been widen. As technology progresses, new ethical issues are posed. This paper examined and reviewed ethical issues and concerns in recent HCI research. An overview of the existing codes of conduct was also provided, in order to get clear a comprehension on the existing concerns in research protocols. The review focused on top-twenty conference series and journals in HCI, published during 2010-June 2015. The purpose was to comprehend the latest ethical issues from the premier work in HCI research community. Altogether 13 categories of ethical concerns were identified. Some of them were consistent with the existing codes, while some of the issues were specific to HCI research. There were some identified issues that should be accentuated, as they currently were not in any of the existing codes.
Keywords: Computer Ethics, Computers, ethical aspects, ethical concerns, ethical issues, Ethics, HCI, HCI research community, Human Computer Interaction, Human-computer interaction, human-computer interaction research community, ieee xplore, Moral & Ethik, privacy, PSYCHOLOGY, research ethics, Review, service robot -
(2015) : Towards morally sensitive action selection for autonomous social robots: 2015 24th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN): Kobe, Japan: IEEE Robotics & Automation Society, S. 492-497
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2015.7333661 Abstract: Autonomous social robots embedded in human societies have to be sensitive to human social interactions and thus to moral norms and principles guiding these interactions. Actions that violate norms can lead to the violator being blamed. Robots thus need to be able to anticipate possible norm violations and attempt to prevent them while they execute actions. If norm violations cannot be prevented (e.g., in a moral dilemma situation in which every action leads to a norm violation), then the robot needs to be able to justify the action to address any potential blame. In this paper, we present a first attempt at an action execution system for social robots that can (a) detect (some) norm violations, (b) consult an ethical reasoner for guidance on what to do in moral dilemma situations, and (c) it can keep track of execution traces and any resulting states that might have violated norms in order to produce justifications.
Keywords: action execution system, autonomous social robots, Cleaning, Collision avoidance, ethical aspects, ethical reasoner, Ethics, human social interactions, human societies, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, Mobile robots, Moral & Ethik, moral dilemma situation, morally sensitive action selection, norm violations, Robot sensing systems, social aspects of automation 2014
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(2014) : Robot Etiquette: How to Approach a Pair of People?: 2014 9th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): 2014 9th ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Bielefeld, Germany: Association for Computing Machinery, S. 196-197
Abstract: Research has been carried out on robots approaching one person [1, 3, 4]. However, further research is needed on robots approaching groups of people. In the study reported in this paper, we studied participants who were paired up for a task and assessed their perception and behaviors as they were approached by a robot from various angles. On an individual level, participants liked the frontal approaches, and they disliked being approached from the back. However, we found that the presence of a task-partner influenced participants’ comfort with a robot approaching (i.e. when the robot approaches and one is standing behind the task-partner). Apart from the positioning of the individuals, the layout of the room, position of furniture and doors, also seemed to influence their experience. This pilot study was performed with a limited number of participants (N=30). However, the study offers preliminary insights into the factors that influence the choice for a robot approach direction when approaching a pair of people that are focused on a task.
Keywords: approach direction, comfort, ethical aspects, frontal approaches, Games, Human Factors, Human robot interaction, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, individual level, Layout, Legged locomotion, man-machine systems, Moral & Ethik, multiple people, organisational aspects, robot approach direction, robot approaches, robot etiquette, Robots, Task Analysis, task oriented, task-partner influenced participants -
(2014) : Moral competence in social robots: 2014 IEEE International Symposium on Ethics in Science, Technology and Engineering: Chicago, IL, USA: IEEE, S. 1-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ETHICS.2014.6893446 Abstract: We propose that any robots that collaborate with, look after, or help humans-in short, social robots-must have moral competence. But what does moral competence consist of? We offer a framework for moral competence that attempts to be comprehensive in capturing capacities that make humans morally competent and that therefore represent candidates for a morally competent robot. We posit that human moral competence consists of four broad components: (1) A system of norms and the language and concepts needed to communicate about these norms; (2) moral cognition and affect; (3) moral decision making and action; and (4) moral communication. We sketch what we know and don’t know about these four elements of moral competence in humans and, for each component, ask how we could equip an artificial agent with these capacities.
Keywords: Affect, Artificial agent, Cognition, Communities, Context, Decision Making, ethical aspects, Ethics, Human Factors, human moral competence, human-robot interaction, ieee xplore, intentionality, Mobile robots, Moral & Ethik, Moral action, moral affect, Moral agency, Moral cognition, moral communication, moral decision making, moral language, norms system, PSYCHOLOGY, Robots, Social Cognition, social robots -
(2014) : Aspects of Socially Assistive Robots Design for Dementia Care: 2014 IEEE 27th International Symposium on Computer-Based Medical Systems: New York, NY: IEEE, S. 396-400
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/CBMS.2014.16 Abstract: Increasing prevalence of dementia matched with higher demand on healthcare services poses a challenge to society. The use of innovative technologies such as robotics has been identified as one of the solutions to this predicament. The design of Socially Assistive Robots (SAR) is a multidisciplinary field that needs to incorporate the diverse requirements of people with dementia and their carers. This paper attempts to identify important considerations for the successful design of SARs and to categorize them. A taxonomy of SAR’s features is proposed, best practice design approaches, technology acceptance and ethical issues are examined. Recommendations for future areas of research are outlined.
Keywords: Dementia, dementia care, ethical aspects, ethical issues, health care services, ieee xplore, inclusive design, medical robotics, Moral & Ethik, Patient Care, roboethics, Robot sensing systems, Robotics, SAR, Senior citizens, service robot, Socially Assistive Robot (SAR), socially assistive robot design, taxonomy, technology acceptance 2013
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(2013) : Accompany: Acceptable robotiCs COMPanions for AgeiNG Years — Multidimensional aspects of human-system interactions: 2013 6th International Conference on Human System Interactions (HSI): Sopot, Poland: IEEE, S. 570-577
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/HSI.2013.6577882 Abstract: With changes in life expectancy across the world, technologies enhancing well-being of individuals, specifically for older people, are subject to a new stream of research and development. In this paper we present the ACCOMPANY project, a pan-European project which focuses on home companion technologies. The projects aims to progress beyond the state of the art in multiple areas such as empathic and social human-robot interaction, robot learning and memory visualisation, monitoring persons and chores at home, and technological integration of these multiple approaches on an existing robotic platform, Care-O-Bot®3 and in the context of a smart-home environment utilising a multitude of sensor arrays. The resulting prototype from integrating these developments undergoes multiple formative cycles and a summative evaluation cycle towards identifying acceptable behaviours and roles for the robot for example role as a butler or a trainer. Furthermore, the evaluation activities will use an evaluation grid in order to assess achievement of the identified user requirements, formulated in form of distinct scenarios. Finally, the project considers ethical concerns and by highlighting principles such as autonomy, independence, enablement, safety and privacy, it embarks on providing a discussion medium where user views on these principles and the existing tension between some of these principles for example tension between privacy and autonomy over safety, can be captured and considered in design cycles and throughout project developments.
Keywords: acceptable robotics companions for ageing years, ACCOMPANY project, assisted living, autonomy principle, Cameras, Care-O-BotR®3, chore monitoring, Context, design cycles, empathic human-robot interaction, enablement principle, ethical aspects, ethical concerns, home companion technologies, human-robot interaction, human-system interactions, ieee xplore, independence principle, individual well-being enhancement, Life Expectancy, memory visualisation, Moral & Ethik, pan-European project, person monitoring, privacy principle, project developments, Robot kinematics, robot learning, Robot vision systems, robotic platform, safety principle, Senior citizens, sensor arrays, service robot, smart-home environment, social aspects of automation, social human-robot interaction, summative evaluation cycle 2012
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(2012): Moral Decision Making in Autonomous Systems: Enforcement, Moral Emotions, Dignity, Trust, and Deception. In: Proceedings of the IEEE 100 (3), S. 571-589. DOI: 10.1109/JPROC.2011.2173265
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2011.2173265 Abstract: As humans are being progressively pushed further downstream in the decision-making process of autonomous systems, the need arises to ensure that moral standards, however defined, are adhered to by these robotic artifacts. While meaningful inroads have been made in this area regarding the use of ethical lethal military robots, including work by our laboratory, these needs transcend the warfighting domain and are pervasive, extending to eldercare, robot nannies, and other forms of service and entertainment robotic platforms. This paper presents an overview of the spectrum and specter of ethical issues raised by the advent of these systems, and various technical results obtained to date by our research group, geared towards managing ethical behavior in autonomous robots in relation to humanity. This includes: 1) the use of an ethical governor capable of restricting robotic behavior to predefined social norms; 2) an ethical adaptor which draws upon the moral emotions to allow a system to constructively and proactively modify its behavior based on the consequences of its actions; 3) the development of models of robotic trust in humans and its dual, deception, drawing on psychological models of interdependence theory; and 4) concluding with an approach towards the maintenance of dignity in human-robot relationships.
Keywords: Adaptation models, Autonomic systems, autonomous robots, autonomous systems, Behavioral science, Decision Making, entertainment robotic platforms, ethical adaptor, ethical aspects, ethical governor, ethical issues, ethical lethal military robots, Ethics, Human Computer Interaction, Human Factors, human-robot relationships, ieee xplore, Moral & Ethik, moral decision making, Moral emotions, Robot Ethics, robot nannies, robotic artifacts, Robots, service robot, Social implications of technology, unmanned systems -
(2012) : A complementing approach for identifying ethical issues in care robotics - grounding ethics in practical use: 2012 IEEE RO-MAN: The 21st IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication: Paris, France: IEEE, S. 797-802
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ROMAN.2012.6343849 Abstract: We use a long-term study of a robotic eating-aid for disabled users to illustrate how empirical use give rise to a set of ethical issues that might be overlooked in ethic discussions based on theoretical extrapolation of the current state-of-the-art in robotics. This approach provides an important complement to the existing robot ethics by revealing new issues as well as providing actionable guidance for current and future robot design. We discuss our material in relation to the literature on robot ethics, specifically the risk of robots performing care taking tasks and thus causing increased isolation for care recipients. Our data identifies a different set of ethical issues such as independence, privacy, and identity where robotics, if carefully designed and developed, can make positive contributions.
Keywords: actionable guidance, care robotics, Cleaning, Data privacy, ethic discussions, ethical aspects, ethical issue identification, Ethics, extrapolation, Feeds, grounding ethics, handicapped aids, human-robot interaction, Humans, identity issue, ieee xplore, independence issue, Moral & Ethik, Patient Care, privacy issue, robot design, Robot sensing systems, robotic eating-aid, Senior citizens, theoretical extrapolation 2010
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(2010) : Aiding Designers, Operators and Regulators to Deal with Legal and Ethical Considerations in the Design and Use of Lethal Autonomous Systems: 2010 International Conference on Emerging Security Technologies: Canterbury, United Kingdom: IEEE, S. 148-152
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/EST.2010.35 Abstract: The focus of this paper is how to design legal and ethical behaviour into Semi/Autonomous Systems (S/AS) that work within a System-of-Systems (SoS) context, in either a military or civilian environment. Its intention is to explore the problem domain, question the comprehensiveness of current work in this area and postulate a series of issues that the authors feel need to be addressed if serious progress is to be made in an area of considerable interest to governments, manufacturers and users of theses systems and indeed the general public. It should be read as a discussion document.