Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot Design
Ethical, legal and societal implications (ELSI) in the development of wearable robots (WRs) are currently not explicitly addressed in most guidelines for WR developers. Previous work has identified ELSI related to WRs, e.g., impacts on body and identity, ableism, data protection, control and respons...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/15/6705 |
| _version_ | 1827686747760230400 |
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| author | Alexandra Kapeller Heike Felzmann Eduard Fosch-Villaronga Kostas Nizamis Ann-Marie Hughes |
| author_facet | Alexandra Kapeller Heike Felzmann Eduard Fosch-Villaronga Kostas Nizamis Ann-Marie Hughes |
| author_sort | Alexandra Kapeller |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ethical, legal and societal implications (ELSI) in the development of wearable robots (WRs) are currently not explicitly addressed in most guidelines for WR developers. Previous work has identified ELSI related to WRs, e.g., impacts on body and identity, ableism, data protection, control and responsibilities, but translation of these concerns into actionable recommendations remains outstanding. This paper provides practical guidance for the implementation of ELSI in WR design, development and use. First, we identify the need for domain-specific recommendations against the context of current ELSI guidance. We then demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of taking a domain-specific approach by successively transforming currently identified ELSI into an action-guiding flowchart for integration of ELSI specific to the different stages of WR development. This flowchart identifies specific questions to be considered by WR development teams and suggests actions to be taken in response. By tailoring ELSI guidance to WR developers, centring it on user needs, their relation to others and wider society, and being cognizant of existing legislation and values, we hope to help the community develop better WRs that are safer, have greater usability, and which impact positively on society. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:20:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bbe442e3038148bf985a32d040309c71 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:20:10Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-bbe442e3038148bf985a32d040309c712023-11-22T05:18:12ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-07-011115670510.3390/app11156705Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot DesignAlexandra Kapeller0Heike Felzmann1Eduard Fosch-Villaronga2Kostas Nizamis3Ann-Marie Hughes4Department for Thematic Studies—Technology and Social Change, Hus T Campus Valla, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, SwedenSchool of Humanities, NUI Galway, University Rd, H91 TK33 Galway, IrelandeLaw Center for Law and Digital Technologies, Leiden University, Steenschuur 25, 2311 ES Leiden, The NetherlandsDepartment of Design, Production, and Management, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7522 NB Enschede, The NetherlandsFaculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UKEthical, legal and societal implications (ELSI) in the development of wearable robots (WRs) are currently not explicitly addressed in most guidelines for WR developers. Previous work has identified ELSI related to WRs, e.g., impacts on body and identity, ableism, data protection, control and responsibilities, but translation of these concerns into actionable recommendations remains outstanding. This paper provides practical guidance for the implementation of ELSI in WR design, development and use. First, we identify the need for domain-specific recommendations against the context of current ELSI guidance. We then demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of taking a domain-specific approach by successively transforming currently identified ELSI into an action-guiding flowchart for integration of ELSI specific to the different stages of WR development. This flowchart identifies specific questions to be considered by WR development teams and suggests actions to be taken in response. By tailoring ELSI guidance to WR developers, centring it on user needs, their relation to others and wider society, and being cognizant of existing legislation and values, we hope to help the community develop better WRs that are safer, have greater usability, and which impact positively on society.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/15/6705wearable robotexoskeletonethical, legal, and societal issuesELSI guidanceELSI implementationuser-centred design |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra Kapeller Heike Felzmann Eduard Fosch-Villaronga Kostas Nizamis Ann-Marie Hughes Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot Design Applied Sciences wearable robot exoskeleton ethical, legal, and societal issues ELSI guidance ELSI implementation user-centred design |
| title | Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot Design |
| title_full | Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot Design |
| title_fullStr | Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot Design |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot Design |
| title_short | Implementing Ethical, Legal, and Societal Considerations in Wearable Robot Design |
| title_sort | implementing ethical legal and societal considerations in wearable robot design |
| topic | wearable robot exoskeleton ethical, legal, and societal issues ELSI guidance ELSI implementation user-centred design |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/15/6705 |
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