RoboTed: a case study in Ethical Risk Assessment

Abstract: Risk Assessment is a well known and powerful method for discovering and mitigating risks, and hence improving safety. Ethical Risk Assessment uses the same approach but extends the envelope of risk to cover ethical risks in addition to safety risks. In this paper we outline Ethical Risk Assessment (ERA) and set ERA within the broader framework of Responsible Robotics. We then illustrate ERA with a case study of a hypothetical smart robot toy teddy bear: RoboTed. The case study shows the value of ERA and how consideration of ethical risks can prompt design changes, resulting in a more ethical and sustainable robot.