A Taxonomy of Ethical, Legal and Social Implications of Wearable Robots: An Expert Perspective
Alexandra Kapeller, Heike Felzmann, Eduard Fosch‐Villaronga, Ann‐Marie Hughes
Abstract
Wearable robots and exoskeletons are relatively new technologies designed for assisting and augmenting human motor functions. Due to their different possible design applications and their intimate connection to the human body, they come with specific ethical, legal, and social issues (ELS), which have not been much explored in the recent ELS literature. This paper draws on expert consultations and a literature review to provide a taxonomy of the most important ethical, legal, and social issues of wearable robots. These issues are categorized in (1) wearable robots and the self, (2) wearable robots and the other, and (3) wearable robots in society.
Topics & Concepts
Perspective (graphical)Engineering ethicsPhilosophy of scienceWearable computerTaxonomy (biology)RobotSociologyKnowledge managementComputer scienceEngineeringPsychologyManagement scienceEpistemologyArtificial intelligenceEcologyBiologyPhilosophyEmbedded systemProsthetics and Rehabilitation RoboticsRobot Manipulation and LearningSocial Robot Interaction and HRI