Ethical and Social Aspects of Neurorobotics
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Ethical and Social Aspects of Neurorobotics Christine Aicardi2 · Simisola Akintoye3 · B. Tyr Fothergill1 · Manuel Guerrero4,5 · Gudrun Klinker6 · William Knight1 · Lars Klüver7 · Yannick Morel8 · Fabrice O. Morin6 · Bernd Carsten Stahl1 · Inga Ulnicane1
© The Author(s) 2020
Abstract The interdisciplinary field of neurorobotics looks to neuroscience to overcome the limitations of modern robotics technology, to robotics to advance our understanding of the neural system’s inner workings, and to information technology to develop tools that support those complementary endeavours. The development of these technologies is still at an early stage, which makes them an ideal candidate for proactive and anticipatory ethical reflection. This article explains the current state of neurorobotics development within the Human Brain Project, originating from a close collaboration between the scientific and technical experts who drive neurorobotics innovation, and the humanities and social sciences scholars who provide contextualising and reflective capabilities. This article discusses some of the ethical issues which can reasonably be expected. On this basis, the article explores possible gaps identified within this collaborative, ethical reflection that calls for attention to ensure that the development of neurorobotics is ethically sound and socially acceptable and desirable. Keywords Neurorobotics · Ethics · Responsible Research and Innovation · Human Brain Project * Bernd Carsten Stahl [email protected] 1
Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
2
King’s College London, London, UK
3
Institute for Law, Justice and Society, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, UK
4
Centre for Research Ethics & Bioethics (CRB), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
5
Department of Bioethics and Medical Humanities, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
6
Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
7
The Danish Board of Technology, Copenhagen, Denmark
8
University of Maastricht, Maastricht, Netherlands
13
Vol.:(0123456789)
C. Aicardi et al.
Introduction Neurorobotics, the intersection of robotics and neuroscience, is an emerging area of research. It aims to find novel ways of controlling robots using neuro-inspired technologies, and provide embodiment for functional abstractions of (anatomical areas of) the brain, sometimes called brain models. As a cutting-edge field of scientific inquiry that builds on long-established traditions in its reference disciplines, yet aims to uncover entirely new ground, neurorobotics is an excellent area to explore how ethical and social concerns relate to scientific research and how science can engage with this type of concern. Neurorobotics differs from other strands of robotics in that it attempts to bridge many areas of neuroscience and robotics to implement the neurobiological structures predicating animal and human behaviour in robots. This avenue of investigation has several scientific and technical aim
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