Regulation and innovation under the 4th industrial revolution: The case of a healthcare robot, HAL by Cyberdyne

Michiko Iizuka and Yoko Ikeda

Technovation, 2021, vol. 108, issue C

Abstract: Innovations using emerging technologies are said to improve the productivity and quality of life. However, the diffusion of such innovations can involve risks and uncertainties regarding safety. While these risks are generally managed by governments by means of regulation, the rapid progress of technology means that such regulatory measures are increasingly falling short in governing emerging technologies. This poses challenges to firms when seeking commercialization, because emerging technologies often do not fall under existing product categories and their corresponding regulations. This study answers the question of how emerging technologies can be commercialized, overcoming existing regulatory barriers on safety, by using different regulatory institutions and identifying new roles for governments. The study employs the case study of a healthcare robot, HAL, manufactured by Cyberdyne, and the process used for establishing ISO standards on safety requirements for healthcare robots and robotic devices (ISO13482). It demonstrates how international standards can act as an open platform, allowing interactions among a diverse set of stakeholders to navigate governance mechanisms. It concludes with an exploration of the role of government in managing emerging technologies in an environment of rapid technological change.

Keywords: Regulation; Standards; Emerging technology; Robotics; Rulemaking; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F23 I18 L15 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:techno:v:108:y:2021:i:c:s0166497221001164

DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2021.102335

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