Robot Accident Investigation: a case study in Responsible Robotics

TL;DR

This paper proposes a comprehensive framework for investigating social robot accidents, emphasizing the importance of rigorous accident analysis in responsible robotics to ensure safety and accountability.

Contribution

It introduces a novel draft framework for social robot accident investigation, integrating technology and processes to enhance safety oversight in social robotics.

Findings

Proposes a detailed framework for social robot accident investigation.

Highlights the importance of rigorous accident analysis for responsible robotics.

Draws parallels between social robot safety and aviation safety standards.

Abstract

Robot accidents are inevitable. Although rare, they have been happening since assembly-line robots were first introduced in the 1960s. But a new generation of social robots are now becoming commonplace. Often with sophisticated embedded artificial intelligence (AI) social robots might be deployed as care robots to assist elderly or disabled people to live independently. Smart robot toys offer a compelling interactive play experience for children and increasingly capable autonomous vehicles (AVs) the promise of hands-free personal transport and fully autonomous taxis. Unlike industrial robots which are deployed in safety cages, social robots are designed to operate in human environments and interact closely with humans; the likelihood of robot accidents is therefore much greater for social robots than industrial robots. This paper sets out a draft framework for social robot accident investigation; a framework which proposes both the technology and processes that would allow social robot accidents to be investigated with no less rigour than we expect of air or rail accident investigations. The paper also places accident investigation within the practice of responsible robotics, and makes the case that social robotics without accident investigation would be no less irresponsible than aviation without air accident investigation.