Robotics in Germany and Japan ― Philosophical and Technical Perspectives

Germany and Japan have long been at the frontiers of research in robotics. In this short collection of essays, leading researchers from both countries provide their perspectives on the current state-of-the-art research. Throughout, a strong emphasis is on the philosophical implications of research and technology--and the central concept is that of "robots as a philosophical problem." A wide range of issues is discussed within that context: hypermodernity, roboethics, the relation between robotics and culture, epistemic approaches and hermeneutics. An interesting technology assessment follows, tackling the questions of power and control in the presence if autonomous service robots. Then, several papers describe the current interactions between robots and modern popular culture, specifically in the area of music creation and performance: their growing ubiquity in music (particularly in Japanese popular culture) and the challenges of adapting musical instruments to the "robotic" culture. Several essays on the wider ethical and metaphysical issues--identity, responsibility, stereotypes--conclude the collection. Annotation c2014 Ringgold, Inc., Portland, OR (protoview.com)

Michael Funk and Bernhard Irrgang both work at the Institute for the Philosophy of Technology at TU Dresden (Germany). Funk is Research Assistant and Irrgang holds the chair of the institute. Their current research includes intercultural and transdisciplinary philosophy of technologies and sciences, applied ethics, robotics and life sciences.