Meeting sustainable development goals via robotics and autonomous systems

Solène Guenat (), Phil Purnell, Zoe G. Davies, Maximilian Nawrath, Lindsay C. Stringer, Giridhara Rathnaiah Babu, Muniyandi Balasubramanian, Erica E. F. Ballantyne, Bhuvana Kolar Bylappa, Bei Chen, Peta Jager, Andrea Prete, Alessandro Nuovo, Cyril O. Ehi-Eromosele, Mehran Eskandari Torbaghan, Karl L. Evans, Markus Fraundorfer, Wissem Haouas, Josephat U. Izunobi, Juan Carlos Jauregui-Correa, Bilal Y. Kaddouh, Sonia Lewycka, Ana C. MacIntosh, Christine Mady, Carsten Maple, Worku N. Mhiret, Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin, Olukunle Charles Olawole, Temilola Oluseyi, Caroline Orfila, Alessandro Ossola, Marion Pfeifer, Tony Pridmore, Moti L. Rijal, Christine C. Rega-Brodsky, Ian D. Robertson, Christopher D. F. Rogers, Charles Rougé, Maryam B. Rumaney, Mmabaledi K. Seeletso, Mohammed Z. Shaqura, L. M. Suresh, Martin N. Sweeting, Nick Taylor Buck, M. U. Ukwuru, Thomas Verbeek, Hinrich Voss, Zia Wadud, Xinjun Wang, Neil Winn and Martin Dallimer ()
Additional contact information
Solène Guenat: University of Leeds
Phil Purnell: University of Leeds
Zoe G. Davies: University of Kent
Maximilian Nawrath: University of Leeds
Lindsay C. Stringer: University of York
Giridhara Rathnaiah Babu: Qatar University
Muniyandi Balasubramanian: Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources, Institute for Social and Economic Change
Erica E. F. Ballantyne: University of Sheffield
Bhuvana Kolar Bylappa: St John’s Medical College and Hospital
Bei Chen: University of Sheffield
Peta Jager: Smart Places, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Andrea Prete: University of Trento
Alessandro Nuovo: Sheffield Hallam University
Cyril O. Ehi-Eromosele: Covenant University
Mehran Eskandari Torbaghan: University of Birmingham
Karl L. Evans: University of Sheffield
Markus Fraundorfer: University of Leeds
Wissem Haouas: Femto-st Institute
Josephat U. Izunobi: University of Lagos
Juan Carlos Jauregui-Correa: Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro
Bilal Y. Kaddouh: University of Leeds
Sonia Lewycka: University of Oxford
Ana C. MacIntosh: University of York
Christine Mady: Notre Dame University-Louaize
Carsten Maple: WMG, University of Warwick
Worku N. Mhiret: University of Gondar
Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin: Sulaimani Polytechnic University
Olukunle Charles Olawole: Covenant University
Temilola Oluseyi: University of Lagos
Caroline Orfila: University of Leeds
Alessandro Ossola: University of CA
Marion Pfeifer: Newcastle University
Tony Pridmore: University of Nottingham
Moti L. Rijal: Tribhuvan University
Christine C. Rega-Brodsky: Pittsburg State University
Ian D. Robertson: University of Leeds
Christopher D. F. Rogers: University of Birmingham
Charles Rougé: University of Sheffield
Maryam B. Rumaney: MB Rumaney Scientific Consulting
Mmabaledi K. Seeletso: Botswana Open University
Mohammed Z. Shaqura: University of Leeds
L. M. Suresh: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, ICRAF
Martin N. Sweeting: University of Surrey
Nick Taylor Buck: University of Sheffield
M. U. Ukwuru: Federal Polytechnic Idah
Thomas Verbeek: University of Sheffield
Hinrich Voss: HEC Montreal
Zia Wadud: University of Leeds
Xinjun Wang: School of Art and Design, Changzhou Institute of Technology
Neil Winn: University of Leeds
Martin Dallimer: University of Leeds

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Robotics and autonomous systems are reshaping the world, changing healthcare, food production and biodiversity management. While they will play a fundamental role in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, associated opportunities and threats are yet to be considered systematically. We report on a horizon scan evaluating robotics and autonomous systems impact on all Sustainable Development Goals, involving 102 experts from around the world. Robotics and autonomous systems are likely to transform how the Sustainable Development Goals are achieved, through replacing and supporting human activities, fostering innovation, enhancing remote access and improving monitoring. Emerging threats relate to reinforcing inequalities, exacerbating environmental change, diverting resources from tried-and-tested solutions and reducing freedom and privacy through inadequate governance. Although predicting future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on the Sustainable Development Goals is difficult, thoroughly examining technological developments early is essential to prevent unintended detrimental consequences. Additionally, robotics and autonomous systems should be considered explicitly when developing future iterations of the Sustainable Development Goals to avoid reversing progress or exacerbating inequalities.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31150-5

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