The Prevent-Model: Human and Organizational Factors Fostering Engineering of Safe and Secure Robotic Systems

Abstract

The rise of robotic systems demands increasingly elaborated safety and security measures in order to prevent damage to property as well as human and economic harm. While technical expertise of engineers is a prerequisite and international standards constitute an overall frame for safety and security by design, human and organizational factors also shape the development of responsible technology. The current study derives an overarching model covering both human and organizational factors facilitating the development of safe and secure robotic systems. In a qualitative interview study, we conducted three focus groups with experts from robotics, software engineering, and related domains. The interviews were analyzed by three independent coders using a qualitative content analytical approach. The resulting integrative Prevent-Model comprises 17 individual factors and 13 organizational factors that enhance safety and security by design. We embed each factor into existing research and derive implications for practitioners and possible courses of action. The Prevent-Model serves as a roadmap to develop tailored measures. Based on this framework, practitioners can improve personnel development programs, organizational structures, working environments, and other aspects crucial for the development of safe and secure robotic systems.