EGAR is a project working with seven robotics development projects in computer science, engineering, and medical technology. The projects are funded by the Baden-Württemberg Foundation’s research programme ‘Autonomous Robotics’. The scope of the research projects ranges from novel algorithms for sensors, robot vision, autonomous drones to exoskeletons and covers a wide range of robotics.

• We analyse the fundamental ethical and social issues that can arise when robots intervene in social structures. The research questions are derived from the key issues of autonomy & responsibility, privacy & informed consent and transparency & fairness.

• We conduct empirical qualitative field research and participant observation in the research projects involved to investigate which practices shape design and development in robotics. We use an ‘embedded ethics’ approach in which we are temporarily involved in the projects and are part of the development process.

• We synthesise these insights into mitigation strategies tailored to the various projects in the ‘Autonomous Robotics’ research programme and make suggestions on how to deal with ethical, societal and legal challenges. In order to facilitate discussion of these findings, regular workshops are offered on a variety of ethical issues in technology development.

• Our third focus is Science communication. We cooperate with technology museums to make robots experienceable and integrate ethical perspectives. In addition, EGAR investigates which ethical issues arise in science communication - i.e. how robots are communicated to the public, to what extent issues such as responsible research and ethics are conveyed and what effects this has on robotics research and development.