To develop a framework for research, application, and governance of bio-hybrid robotics, we focus on three research questions:
1. What are the social, ethical, and environmental implications of bio-hybrid robots?
2. How do researchers view the future of this technology and its ethical implications?
3. What are the perceptions of the general public towards bio-hybrid robotics research?
Biohybrid robotics is an emerging technoscientific field, and its challenges differ from those of more established disciplines. Addressing these challenges requires a wide variery of research methods:
Delphi method and socio-technical scenarios
We will engage with experts and innovators in the field of bio-hybrid robotics through the Delphi method. It involves a panel of experts that respond to anonymous questionnaires over several turns and reach decisions by consensus. We chose this approach for several reasons: it is as a stronger methodology for rigorous informed but relatively unbiased query compared to traditional survey methods that raise a risk of low response rate with elite experts; size requirements are modest (10-18 members); design is flexible and adaptable to follow-up interviews; and provides inherently richer data. With these techniques, following the anticipatory approach to studying emergent technologies, we will discover possible socio-technical scenarios for the development of biohybrid robotics.
Interviews and contextual inquiry
We will conduct qualitative interviews with a diverse number of researchers from different international laboratories and career stages, aiming to expand knowledge on the issues identified through the Delphi method. Careful consideration will be given to EDI by ensuring researchers of different backgrounds and career stages (technicians, PhD students, post-docs) are represented. This will mitigate the risk of expert bias, as it is aimed at senior experts and innovators. Some interviews will be conducted online, while others will be part of contextual inquiries in the lab. This approach allows researchers to be observed in their natural working environment, providing deeper insights into their processes and challenges.
Conjoint experimental survey
We will launch a conjoint experiment to a representative sample of citizens from the countries most active in developing bio-hybrid robotics or similar technologies. Conjoint analysis is a statistical methods based on the combination of multidimensional attributes to understand respondent’s preferences and attitudes. Using scenarios generated via the Delphi method, we will present citizens with realistic scenarios, randomizing for different applications of the technology (e.g., healthcare, companionship), associated moral dilemmas (e.g., developing sentience, environmental damage), and social consequences (e.g., positive or negative framing). Participants will then be asked about their attitudes towards the development of this technology and whether regulation is necessary, and if so, what kind (e.g., external regulation or self-regulation by research institutions). We will pay particular attention to perceptions of differently informed citizens by asking basic questions about the technology and rating their degree of knowledge.
Deliberative workshops
We will use mixed methods to triangulate our conclusions. Then we will present the resulting framework in a series of deliberative workshops. These workshops will bring together academic experts, policymakers, and members of the public to offer feedback on the framework, fostering discussions on potential improvements and outlining next steps. Deliberative techniques, such as structured discussions and group deliberations, will ensure thorough exploration of perspectives and facilitate consensus-building among diverse stakeholders.