While the central aim of the UK RAS (Robotics and Autonomous Systems) Network is to deliver the technology, an important issue will be the ethics and rules-based side. Research is already taking place in this area and will become more of a priority as robots become capable of acting as housemaids and performing more general roles. 

Limiting decision-making powers

Discussing the ethics side, Louise Dennis of Liverpool University suggested that the idea of non-co-operative robots is not an issue at the moment, mainly because today's robots tend to have simple tasks (such as hoovering). She told the BBC: ‘If we look forward 50 to 100 years there might be a question of non co-operation.’ The current research is therefore working on developing ‘limiters [on a robot’s decision-making capability], based on ethical principles’. The Global Legal Post launches its new title, Robotics Law Journal, next month. Sources: BBC, UK RAS and Robotics Law Journal