A Software Module for an Ethical Elder Care Robot: Design and Implementation
A Softwaremodule for an Ethical Elder Care Robot. Design and Implementation
This academic article explores how to implement moral capacities in software modules for domestic elder care robots. It critiques existing top-down approaches, such as those relying exclusively on ethical experts, and proposes a hybrid approach grounded in Martha Nussbaum's capabilities framework. The paper outlines a roadmap using experimental philosophy tools to identify, operationalize, and adapt to the individual moral value profiles of care-dependent users.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Researchers, ethicists, and AI developers should read this to understand how to design and implement context-sensitive moral decision-making software for assistive elder care robots.
What the document contains
The text covers the theoretical foundations, software design challenges, and a proposed four-step roadmap for implementing a hybrid moral software module in domestic elder care robots. It evaluates top-down, bottom-up, and hybrid ethical frameworks and compares artificial functional moral agency with human moral agency.
The document does not provide actual computer code, fully developed software architecture schemas, empirical trial results from user studies, or legally binding regulations for robot manufacturers.
- Artificial systems in domestic geriatric care face morally problematic situations that require autonomous moral decision-making capabilities.
- Purely top-down approaches rely too heavily on ethical experts and rigid rules, while bottom-up approaches raise safety and transparency concerns.
- A hybrid approach combining a predefined framework of moral values with user-specific moral learning is best suited for elder care robots.
- Martha Nussbaum's capability approach provides a solid ethical foundation for identifying the well-being needs and entitlements of care recipients.
- Experimental philosophy instruments, such as qualitative interviews and scenario surveys, can help operationalize user moral profiles in software algorithms.
1. Introduction 2. Moral Implementation: Top-down, Bottom-up and Hybrid 3. A Top-Down Approach to an Elder Care System 4. A Hybrid Approach to a Software Module for Geriatric Care 5. Artificial and Human Moral Agents 6. Conclusion
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Fairness
0/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
N/A
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
4/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
If this is not the case the system should inform the user and even turn itself off if there is a serious problem of safety.
4. A Hybrid Approach to a Software Module for Geriatric Care
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
4/5Protection of personal data and private life
Should the system monitor and register the medical status of the care-dependent person constantly and report it to a hospital or care facility? The conflict that arises in this case concerns privacy and health.
4. A Hybrid Approach to a Software Module for Geriatric Care
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
3/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
It is important that autonomous artificial systems do not just behave morally, as a matter of fact, but that the moral basis of their decisions is also transparent.
2. Moral Implementation: Top-down, Bottom-up and Hybrid
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
0/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
N/A
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
0/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
N/A
screening score · 2026-10-23