This book examines the implementation of responsible robotics through the lens of design thinking, fostering dialogue among scholars across law, philosophy, psychology, engineering, and related disciplines. Bringing together contributions from researchers based in East Asia, North America, and Europe, the volume offers a truly interdisciplinary and international perspective on the ethical challenges posed by emerging robotic technologies.

The book is organized into four interconnected parts. Part I explores the prospects and challenges of a society in which humans and robots coexist. Part II addresses ethical design principles for the governance of robotic systems. Part III investigates innovative
methodologies that can be employed to develop ethically grounded designs, while Part IV analyzes the intersection of design, human–robot interaction (HRI), and governance.

By integrating ethical reflection with practical design approaches, this volume offers valuable insights for policymakers and legislators seeking guidance on responsible robot governance, as well as for engineers aiming to incorporate ethical and legal considerations into system development. At the same time, it will appeal to scholars, students, and members of the wider public concerned with the societal implications and governance of emerging technologies.

Yueh-Hsuan Weng is an Associate Professor at the Inamori Frontier Program, Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), Kyushu University and Cross-appointment Associate Professor at the Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (FRIS), Tohoku University. He has been an Assistant Professor at FRIS, Tohoku University (2017-2023), Visiting Associate Professor at National Taiwan University (2026) Visiting Assistant Professor at The University of Hong Kong (2018). He received his Ph.D. in Law from Peking University and his M.S. in Computer Science from National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan. He is strongly interested in interdisciplinary studies, especially in issues concerning the interface between Artificial Intelligence and Law, including Robot Law, Social Robotics, and Legal Informatics. During his Ph.D. studies, he has founded ROBOLAW.ASIA and CHINA-LII, which are China’s first initiatives in AI Law and Free Access to Law.