The Empirical Turn in Robot Ethics: Reconciling Theoretical Thought Experiments with Practical Reality
Yueh-Hsuan Weng, David Torabi, Jim Torresen, Zonghao Dong, Yasuhisa Hirata
AI summary
Problem
Traditional robot ethics relies on abstract thought experiments that fail to capture the nuanced, context-dependent realities of human-robot interaction, leaving a gap between theoretical ethical principles and practical deployment.
Approach
The authors propose a hybrid methodology that pairs theoretical thought experiments with empirical validation in real-world 'living labs,' creating an iterative cycle to refine ethical design and regulatory standards.
Key results
- A five-step iterative framework linking theoretical dilemmas to empirical validation
- Case study of AI 'white lie' deception testing in elder care robotics
- Deployment of the IEEE P7017 Living Lab for Legal Human-Robot Interaction standardization
- Demonstration of how living labs bridge abstract ethics with practical privacy and safety requirements
Why it matters
Enables researchers, engineers, and policymakers to proactively address ethical and legal challenges in social robot design before widespread real-world deployment.
Abstract
The inclusion of robots in daily life presents significant ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) that stem from their interactions with humans. Social robots are able to operate in environments that are rich in cultural norms, emotions, and social cues, leading to critical questions about privacy, trust, and safety. We explore the ways in which the interdisciplinary field of robot ethics can tackle these challenges using a hybrid methodological approach that incorporates thought experiments and empirical research. Ethical dilemmas can be systematically analyzed using thought experiments, and empirical methods can provide real-world insights to validate and refine these theoretical frameworks. In the paper, the use of living labs as dynamic environments for testing and integrating ethical design principles into robot design is emphasized, ensuring that robots comply with ethical expectations and legal standards.