2015 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

Translating responsibility - the ethical and social impact of assistive robotics in Japan and Germany

Research Project

Project/Area Number	15H06658
Research Institution	Meiji University
Principal Investigator	Grueneberg P. 明治大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 助教 (00757718)
Project Period (FY)	2015-08-28 – 2017-03-31
Keywords	intercultural comparison / robot ethics / ethics of care / assistive robotics
Outline of Annual Research Achievements	(1) The basic framework for assessing robotics in Japan and Germany has been set up. This includes a defintion of assistive robotics, criteria for assessing social, cultural and ethical norms and criteria for intercultural comparison. (2) Robot ethics in Germany and Japan have been surveyed. This survey includes related philosophical research (ethics of care) and a special focus on Japanese ethics. (3) Assistive robotics in Germany has been assessed according to demographical, social, healthcare, technological, political, economical, ethical, nursing, legal, and religious aspects. Assessment of assisteive robotics in Japan has been partly finished. (4) A case study has been developed. (5) A bibliographical database has been set up, and bibliographical data has been entered. (6) Collaboration has been initiated with two German researchers: Dr. Cosima Wagner (Berlin, Japan Studies) and Dr. Hironori Matsuzaki (Oldenburg, Social Sciences). Future collaboration includes a workshop on "Extending Science and Technology Studies" by including social, legal, cultural and cognitive studies on robotics into the STS framwork.
Current Status of Research Progress	Current Status of Research Progress 1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned. Reason All planned tasks could be accomplished in time. Preliminary works for the next year could be accomplished.
Strategy for Future Research Activity	Following steps include completion of the assessment of assistive robotics in Japan. After that, the results of the assessment in Japan and Germany will then be visualized in a mind map, source materials will be entered in the bibliographical database. A journal paper on intercultural comparison of robot ethics will be submitted. A workshop on "Science and Technology Studies and Robotics in Japan and Germany" will be organized and held. Mind map and bibliographical database wil be published online.