Robotic Systems in Healthcare with Particular Reference to Innovation in the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' : An Ethical Challenge for Management
Martin Pohl · Terrestrial Environment Research Center (University of Tsukuba) · 2016
The use of robotic systems is undergoing an evolution; they will become part of daily life in many fields including the healthcare sector. Examples of operational robotic systems suggest huge growth potential. The ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and ‘Everything-as-a-Service’ (XaaS) will provide the platform for innovations. Macro-trends in the healthcare sector in Japan for example suggest that in many fields of healthcare new robotic systems may be developed and implemented in the near or mid-term future. For these trends to be accepted by stakeholders ethical standards have to be developed for robotic systems in the healthcare sector. From the viewpoint of management acting in accordance with ethical principles will make success of a new product likely and as such prove investment successful.