ROBOLAW

Regulating Emerging Robotic Technologies in Europe: Robotics facing Law and Ethics

Coordinatore	SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANT'ANNA    more  Organization address address: PIAZZA MARTIRI DELLA LIBERTA, 33 city: PISA postcode: 56127 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Erica Cognome: Palmerini Email: send email Telefono: +39 050 883528
Nazionalità Coordinatore	Italy [IT]
Sito del progetto	http://www.robolaw.eu
Totale costo	1˙908˙342 €
EC contributo	1˙497˙966 €
Programma	FP7-SIS Specific Programme "Capacities": Science in society
Code Call	FP7-SCIENCE-IN-SOCIETY-2011-1
Funding Scheme	CP-FP
Anno di inizio	2012
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2012-03-01   -   2014-05-31

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	SCUOLA SUPERIORE DI STUDI UNIVERSITARI E DI PERFEZIONAMENTO SANT'ANNA  Organization address address: PIAZZA MARTIRI DELLA LIBERTA, 33 city: PISA postcode: 56127 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Erica Cognome: Palmerini Email: send email Telefono: +39 050 883528	IT (PISA)	coordinator	659˙366.00
2	STICHTING KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT BRABANT UNIVERSITEIT VAN TILBURG  Organization address address: Warandelaan 2 city: TILBURG postcode: 5037 AB contact info Titolo: Ms. Nome: Leonie Cognome: De Jong Email: send email Telefono: +31 13 466 3664	NL (TILBURG)	participant	454˙600.00
3	THE UNIVERSITY OF READING  Organization address address: WHITEKNIGHTS CAMPUS WHITEKNIGHTS HOUSE city: READING postcode: RG6 6AH contact info Titolo: Mr. Nome: Tom Cognome: Reynolds Email: send email Telefono: +44 118 378 6060 Fax: +44 118 378 8979	UK (READING)	participant	159˙600.00
4	LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN  Organization address address: GESCHWISTER SCHOLL PLATZ 1 city: MUENCHEN postcode: 80539 contact info Titolo: Dr. Nome: Fiorella Cognome: Battaglia Email: send email Telefono: 4989220000000 Fax: 4989220000000	DE (MUENCHEN)	participant	143˙277.52
5	HUMBOLDT-UNIVERSITAT ZU BERLIN  Organization address address: UNTER DEN LINDEN 6 city: BERLIN postcode: 10099 contact info Titolo: Ms. Nome: Renate Cognome: Ubachs Email: send email Telefono: +49 30 209370751 Fax: +49 30 2093 1660	DE (BERLIN)	participant	81˙122.49

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The main objective of the research in this proposal is to investigate the ways in which emerging technologies in the field of (bio-)robotics (e.g. bionics, neural interfaces and nanotechnologies) has a bearing on the content, meaning and setting of hard versus soft law. We will research the ways in which regulation (both in terms of soft and hard law) may be affected by, and even in need of adjustment in light of, advances in robotics, with a special focus on human enhancement. To do so we will analyse the current state-of-the-art of legislation and regulation pertaining to robotics, and we will point towards areas of regulation that are in need of adjustment or revision due to the advent of emerging robotics technologies. Moreover, we will study the interrelations between technical, legal and moral norms in this field, in order to define what could be the best balance between them, and to promote a technically feasible, yet also ethically and legally sound basis for future robotics developments. Uncovering ethical values embedded into robotics technologies, and ethical consequences arising from their use, is another key element of this research, therefore. The most important outcome of the research will consist of 'Guidelines on Regulating Robotics', which will containing regulatory recommendations for the European Commission, in order to establish of a solid framework of 'robolaw' in Europe.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

An EU project looked at what laws and regulations are needed for robotic technology.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Following the first computers, the idea of thinking machines became a staple of science fiction. Even very early on it was understood that such machines would need some governing framework. The subject of robotics law was seriously considered by European legal scholars through the 1980s. However, most of the studies related to agent technology in software systems and, although investigations addressed important legal themes to be covered by future robotics laws, the field was still more science fiction than actuality.

The first investigation to address these issues was the EU-funded project, 'Regulating emerging robotic technologies in Europe: Robotics facing law and ethics' (ROBOLAW). Its main aims included identifying the legal and ethical implications of emerging robotic technologies, in terms of whether existing frameworks are adequate given the state of the technologies. Secondly, research took into account how developments in robotics affect European social values.

Apart from robotics as conventionally understood, ROBOLAW also considered the legal status of pioneering technologies such as nanotechnologies, neuroprostheses and brain-computer interfaces. The study employed multidisciplinary methods and comparative analyses, and has highlighted areas of European regulation needing reform.

ROBOLAW held a workshop where invited speakers addressed these issues. The outcome of these discussions was published as an extensive reference, which also included a research methodology. Since then, a ROBOLAW Series has been successfully published.

The project also developed a structure of applicable technologies depending on level of autonomy, task performed, relationship to humans and other criteria. This taxonomy, and associated case study analysis, will help focus the legal questions, especially in terms of rights.

A report published by ROBOLAW examines how robotic technologies affect European rights. A discussion journal article focused on industrial robotics, assistive technology and biomedical robotics. The broad issues of these publications, and the project's other workshops, focused on how the technologies affect our conception of humanity, and how they may be designed to safeguard human values.

Project outcomes can also be applied to a wide range of other technologies. ROBOLAW outcomes should help protect rights affected by new technologies.