A Simulated real-world upper-body Exoskeleton Accident and Investigation

TL;DR

This paper presents a simulated upper-body exoskeleton accident scenario and its investigation process, aiming to develop methods for social robot accident analysis and prevention.

Contribution

It introduces a novel simulated accident scenario and investigation methodology for upper-body exoskeletons within the RoboTIPS project.

Findings

Effective role-playing investigation process

Insights into accident causation and prevention strategies

Framework for future social robot accident investigations

Abstract

This paper describes the enactment of a simulated (mock) accident involving an upper-body exoskeleton and its investigation. The accident scenario is enacted by role-playing volunteers, one of whom is wearing the exoskeleton. Following the mock accident, investigators - also volunteers - interview both the subject of the accident and relevant witnesses. The investigators then consider the witness testimony alongside robot data logged by the ethical black box, in order to address the three key questions: what happened?, why did it happen?, and how can we make changes to prevent the accident happening again? This simulated accident scenario is one of a series we have run as part of the RoboTIPS project, with the overall aim of developing and testing both processes and technologies to support social robot accident investigation.