Robot jurisprudence: How to judge a ’botm | The Economist

The concern for policymakers is creating a regulatory and legal environment that is broad enough to maintain legal and ethical norms but is not so proscriptive as to hamper innovation. It was with this difficult mission in mind that the €1.9m ($2.4m) RoboLaw consortium of experts in law, engineering, philosophy, regulation and human enhancement was brought together in 2012.

On September 22nd the consortium released the results of its deliberations: the “Guidelines on Regulating Robotics“. On September 24th they were presented at asession on legal affairs at the European Parliament (the European Commission footed €1.4m of the project’s bill). The document is a set of recommendations designed to help European legislators successfully manage the introduction of new robotic and human enhancement technologies into society without compromising principles already enshrined in European law.

The report’s authors warn against “excessively restrictive” legislation that can stifle innovation, recommending a “functional perspective” that focuses on practical effects and incentives embodied in any new robot-specific laws.

Read more on the Economist.

Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large

Hallie Siegel robotics editor-at-large