Panel 6: Unfair and Deceptive Robots
Event Name
WeRobot 2015
Date
4-11-2015
Abstract
What should consumer protection rules for robots look like? The FTC’s grant of authority and existing jurisprudence make it the preferable regulatory agency for protecting consumers who buy and interact with robots. The FTC has proven to be a capable regulator of communications, organizational procedures, and design, which are the three crucial concepts for safe consumer robots. Additionally, the structure and history of the FTC shows that the agency is capable of fostering new technologies as it did with the Internet. The agency defers to industry standards, avoids dramatic regulatory lurches, and cooperates with other agencies. Consumer robotics is an expansive field with great potential. A light but steady response by the FTC will allow the consumer robotics industry to thrive while preserving consumer trust and keeping consumers safe from harm.
Recommended Citation
Woodrow Hartzog and Ryan Calo, Panel 6: Unfair and Deceptive Robots (2015), https://digitalcommons.law.uw.edu/werobot/5