Meeting sustainable development goals via robotics and autonomous systems
Solène Guenat, Phil Purnell, Zoe G. Davies, Maximilian Nawrath, Lindsay C. Stringer, Giridhara R. Babu, Muniyandi Balasubramanian, Erica Ballantyne, Bhuvana Kolar Bylappa, Chen Bei, Peta De Jager, Andrea Del Prete, Alessandro Di Nuovo, C. O. Ehi‐Eromosele, Mehran Eskandari Torbaghan, Karl L. Evans, Markus Fraundorfer, Wissem Haouas, Josephat U. Izunobi, Juan Carlos Jáuregui-Correa, Bilal Kaddouh, Sonia Lewycka, Ana C. MacIntosh, Christine Mady, Carsten Maple, Worku Negash Mhiret, Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin, Olukunle C. Olawole, Temilola Oluseyi, Caroline Orfila, Alessandro Ossola, Marion Pfeifer, Tony Pridmore, Moti Lal Rijal, Christine C. Rega‐Brodsky, I.D. Robertson, C. D. F. Rogers, Charles Rougé, Maryam Bibi Rumaney, Mmabaledi Seeletso, Mohammed Z. Shaqura, L. M. Suresh, Martin Sweeting, Nick Taylor Buck, M. U. Ukwuru, Thomas Verbeek, Hinrich Voss, Zia Wadud, Xinjun Wang, Neil Winn, Martin Dallimer
Abstract
Robotics and autonomous systems are reshaping the world, changing healthcare, food production and biodiversity management. While they will play a fundamental role in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, associated opportunities and threats are yet to be considered systematically. We report on a horizon scan evaluating robotics and autonomous systems impact on all Sustainable Development Goals, involving 102 experts from around the world. Robotics and autonomous systems are likely to transform how the Sustainable Development Goals are achieved, through replacing and supporting human activities, fostering innovation, enhancing remote access and improving monitoring. Emerging threats relate to reinforcing inequalities, exacerbating environmental change, diverting resources from tried-and-tested solutions and reducing freedom and privacy through inadequate governance. Although predicting future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on the Sustainable Development Goals is difficult, thoroughly examining technological developments early is essential to prevent unintended detrimental consequences. Additionally, robotics and autonomous systems should be considered explicitly when developing future iterations of the Sustainable Development Goals to avoid reversing progress or exacerbating inequalities.