Proposing a Delphi-Study as Non-Biased Alternative to Studies and Roadmaps Predicting the Future of Robotics, Automation A.I.

Abstract

Currently, a multitude of studies, whitepapers and roadmaps claim to predict the future of robotics and automation. Unfortunately, all of them are to some extent limited in their scope, by design and/or are biased by some particular interests. In most cases this is not even by intention, but the fact, that the euRobotics Multiannual Roadmap and Strategic Research Agenda only focus on the European robotics community limits it to a certain field of view. The same applies for the U.S. Robotics Roadmap and other documents. In this paper, we suggest the methodology for a Delphi-Study - a guided, unbiased and holistic approach based on neutral interviews with internationally well renowned experts. The necessity for a Delphi-Study has already been laid out by the IEEE RAS Industries Activities Board in the IEEE RAM Magazine [6].