Record STMT-W715390Advisory

Robot: Multiuse Tool and Ethical Agent

Position paper State lawGlobaladopted

This academic book chapter examines the ethical, legal, and technical considerations surrounding robots as both multiuse tools and autonomous agents capable of interacting in open environments. It reviews existing ethical frameworks including the EPSRC Principles of Robotics, the STOA Making Perfect Life project, and the MEESTAR instrument to address challenges in assistive technologies and human-robot interaction. The chapter synthesizes these approaches to discuss dimensions such as care, autonomy, safety, privacy, equity, and participation.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Austrian Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence (OFAI)Academic · AT

Lead issuer

SpringerIndustry

Publisher

Legal forceAdvisory

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

Researchers and academicsGeneral publicAI developers and providersAI deployers and users

Researchers and developers in robotics and artificial intelligence who need a structured overview of ethical frameworks and dimensions for autonomous systems.

Sectors

Research and science · robotics and AI researchHealthcare · assistive systems for people in need

What the document contains

What's covered

The text addresses the ethical and legal challenges of designing robots as autonomous agents and tools, focusing on human-robot interaction, technical maturity, and assistive technologies. It details evaluation instruments and guiding questions regarding care, autonomy, safety, and privacy in socio-technical systems.

What's missing

The document does not provide binding legal enforcement mechanisms, statutory regulations, or specific compliance penalties.

Key takeaways

Robots must be considered as both technical tools and autonomous, ethically aware agents.
Developing deployment-ready robotic systems requires addressing broad ethical, legal, and socio-technical considerations.
The chapter integrates insights from the EPSRC Principles, STOA Making Perfect Life, and the MEESTAR instrument.
Key ethical dimensions include care, autonomy, safety, privacy, equity, participation, and self-conception.

Principles it states

CareAutonomy/self-determinationSafetyPrivacyEquityParticipationSelf-conception

Outline

· Abstract
· Appendix 1: MEESTAR Guiding Questions Original Formulation (German)
· Appendix 2: Ethical Dimensions Assessed in MEESTAR, Original Formulation (German)

Issued2015

Length1,864 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopeglobal

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

0/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

screening score · 2026-10-24

Fairness

3/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

Equity (Ge.: Gerechtigkeit) Q1: “Wer bekommt Zugang zu altersgerechten Assistenzsystemen?”

Appendix 2

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Dignity

3/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

Autonomy/self-determination (Ge.: Selbstbestimmung) Q1: “Wie können – in Anlehnung an eine konsequent am Selbstbestimmungsrecht des Einzelnen orientierte Praxis – Menschen bei der Ausübung ihrer Selbstbestimmung unterstützt werden?”

Appendix 2

screening score · 2026-10-24

Human Oversight

0/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

screening score · 2026-10-24

Privacy

3/5

Protection of personal data and private life

Privacy (Ge.: Privatheit) Q1: “Wie kann die Privatsphäre des Einzelnen über die informationelle Selbstbestimmung hinaus als moralischer Anspruch bei der Gestaltung altersgerechter Assistenzsysteme zur Geltung gebracht werden?”

Appendix 2

screening score · 2026-10-24

Transparency

0/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

screening score · 2026-10-24

Enforcement

0/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

screening score · 2026-10-24

Impact Assessment

3/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

Developing, building and finally deploying technology of this kind require a broad range of ethical and legal considerations

Abstract

screening score · 2026-10-24

Topics

Physical AI Governancecontext

robot_ethics autonomous_agents assistive_technology human_robot_interaction meestar_instrument