Living-Lab and Experimental Workshops for Design of I-RobEka Assistive Shopping Robot: ELSI Aspects with MEESTAR

Abstract

If robotic assistance is to be used in the near future by aging adults, it must have an acceptable design. In the process of applying a MEESTAR model in project to measure, predict, and justify the acceptance of robot assistants in a supermarket setting, we investigated the ethical ramifications of these robots. The method used was very well suited for participatory technology development. Does the appearance of the robot affect acceptance? The aim of the exploratory workshops was to gain insights into this question before evaluation in tangible environment. Our research approach, in addition to the construction of the robot, poses a significant difference to the traditional design and evaluation procedure.