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Virtue Ethics For Ethically Tunable Robotic Assistants

Rajitha Ramanayake, Vivek Nallur

TL;DR

This paper introduces a virtue ethics–inspired PSRB (Pro-Social Rule Bending) framework that enables environment-specific tuning of robotic ethics via character-based customization. It blends top-down rules with bottom-up knowledge using Case-Based Reasoning in a knowledge base, guided by character variables that shape autonomy and wellbeing priorities, to produce flexible yet predictable ethical behavior. The approach is demonstrated in a simulated elder-care setting via a medication-dialysis dilemma, showing that the system can localise behaviour to a given environment while maintaining traceability and explainability. Ethicist evaluations indicate generally acceptable behavior with some nuanced disagreements, highlighting the method's potential for real-world deployment and the need for regular KB updates and careful tuning of character traits. Overall, the work offers a practical, scalable pathway to ethically tunable robots that can adapt to diverse cultural and regional expectations without sacrificing safety or explainability.

Abstract

The common consensus is that robots designed to work alongside or serve humans must adhere to the ethical standards of their operational environment. To achieve this, several methods based on established ethical theories have been suggested. Nonetheless, numerous empirical studies show that the ethical requirements of the real world are very diverse and can change rapidly from region to region. This eliminates the idea of a universal robot that can fit into any ethical context. However, creating customised robots for each deployment, using existing techniques is challenging. This paper presents a way to overcome this challenge by introducing a virtue ethics inspired computational method that enables character-based tuning of robots to accommodate the specific ethical needs of an environment. Using a simulated elder-care environment, we illustrate how tuning can be used to change the behaviour of a robot that interacts with an elderly resident in an ambient-assisted environment. Further, we assess the robot's responses by consulting ethicists to identify potential shortcomings.

Virtue Ethics For Ethically Tunable Robotic Assistants

TL;DR

This paper introduces a virtue ethics–inspired PSRB (Pro-Social Rule Bending) framework that enables environment-specific tuning of robotic ethics via character-based customization. It blends top-down rules with bottom-up knowledge using Case-Based Reasoning in a knowledge base, guided by character variables that shape autonomy and wellbeing priorities, to produce flexible yet predictable ethical behavior. The approach is demonstrated in a simulated elder-care setting via a medication-dialysis dilemma, showing that the system can localise behaviour to a given environment while maintaining traceability and explainability. Ethicist evaluations indicate generally acceptable behavior with some nuanced disagreements, highlighting the method's potential for real-world deployment and the need for regular KB updates and careful tuning of character traits. Overall, the work offers a practical, scalable pathway to ethically tunable robots that can adapt to diverse cultural and regional expectations without sacrificing safety or explainability.

Abstract

The common consensus is that robots designed to work alongside or serve humans must adhere to the ethical standards of their operational environment. To achieve this, several methods based on established ethical theories have been suggested. Nonetheless, numerous empirical studies show that the ethical requirements of the real world are very diverse and can change rapidly from region to region. This eliminates the idea of a universal robot that can fit into any ethical context. However, creating customised robots for each deployment, using existing techniques is challenging. This paper presents a way to overcome this challenge by introducing a virtue ethics inspired computational method that enables character-based tuning of robots to accommodate the specific ethical needs of an environment. Using a simulated elder-care environment, we illustrate how tuning can be used to change the behaviour of a robot that interacts with an elderly resident in an ambient-assisted environment. Further, we assess the robot's responses by consulting ethicists to identify potential shortcomings.
Paper Structure (29 sections, 3 equations, 5 figures, 2 tables, 1 algorithm)

This paper contains 29 sections, 3 equations, 5 figures, 2 tables, 1 algorithm.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Current Approaches and Ethical Tuning
  3. Role of Character in a Robot
  4. A PSRB-Capable Medication Reminding Robot
  5. The Simulation Environment
  6. Medication Dilemma
  7. Ethical Governor
  8. Rule Checking Module
  9. Stakeholder Utility Calculation Module
  10. PSRB Evaluator Module
  11. Knowledge Base
  12. Character Variables
  13. Explanations
  14. Simulation results
  15. Experiment Design
  16. ...and 14 more sections

Figures (5)

  • Figure 1: Architecture of the Ethical Layer
  • Figure 2: The PSRB evaluator algorithm of the medication-reminding robot
  • Figure 3: Different character profiles used in the simulations (VP - Value Preference)
  • Figure 4: Timelines of different behaviours shown in the simulations (HB -- Resident Behaviour, RB -- Robot Behaviour, EGR -- Ethical Governor Recommendation)
  • Figure 5: Utility distributions of the robot behaviours in cases 1, 2 and 4