Ethics in robotics and automation: a general view
This academic paper reviews the ethical aspects and social implications of robotics and automation (R&A). It outlines fundamental philosophical and ethical questions, examines major branches of roboethics such as medical, assistive, social, autonomous vehicle, and military robotics, and discusses automation technology ethics and social impacts. Ultimately, it highlights the ongoing need to develop practical ethical rules and codes for designers, professionals, and users of R&A products.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Researchers, engineers, and scholars looking for a general overview and literature review of ethics in robotics and automation.
What the document contains
The paper covers the conceptual review of ethical aspects and social implications in robotics and automation, including foundational philosophical questions, the definition and branches of roboethics, and automation technology ethics.
The document does not provide enforceable legal regulations, specific corporate policies, or a binding code of conduct.
- Robotics and automation ethics is a branch of applied ethics investigating social and ethical issues across automated systems.
- Roboethics covers the range of ethical issues related to robot design, operation, and use, including differing levels of robot autonomy and morality.
- Major branches of roboethics include medical robotics, assistive robotics, social robotics, autonomous vehicles, and military robotics.
- Automation technology ethics overlaps heavily with computer, information, and communication technology ethics.
- There remains a strong need to develop practical, easy-to-understand ethical rules and codes for R&A designers, professionals, and users.
· Introduction · Robotics and Automation Ethics · Fundamental Ethics Questions in R&A · Short review of R&A ethics · Branches of roboethics · Automation technology ethics · Conclusion
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Fairness
2/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
Justice (The distribution of scarce health resources and decision of who gets what treatment should be just.).
Branches of roboethics
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
2/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
Dignity (The patient has the right to dignity).
Branches of roboethics
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
2/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
At the lowest end they possess low level (operational) autonomy (i.e., autonomous execution of programmed operations without any human intervention), and passing from medium level-autonomy
Introduction
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
2/5Protection of personal data and private life
Loss of privacy (guidelines should be developed to guard against robot misuse, e.g., when drones and robots collecting data enter our home).
Short review of R&A ethics
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
2/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
Truthfulness (The patient should not be lied and deserves to know the whole truth).
Branches of roboethics
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
0/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
None
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
2/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
the evaluation of assistive robots can be made along three main dimensions, namely: cost, risk, and benefit.
Assistive roboethics/Ethics of assistive robots
screening score · 2026-10-23