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Recommended actions for the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre of the DDPS

The Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre of the DDPS (SDRC DDPS) of armasuisse Science and Technology deals with robotics in the security environment. It is supported in this by the Strategic Advisory Board, consisting of representatives from the armed forces, research, industry and government. This Board adopted four recommended actions for the SDRC DDPS on 8 December 2022.

19.12.2022 | Dr. Markus Höpflinger and Pascal Vörös, Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre, armasuisse Science and Technology

Group picture of the Strategic Advisory Board
Members of the Strategic Advisory Board, their representatives and employees of the SDRC DDPS after their meeting on 8 December 2022 at ETH Zurich. (left to right) P. Vörös, M. von Muralt, J. Boucher, B. Gouverneur (p.p. B. Beck), Botschafterin P. Pulli, Oberst i Gst R. Fritz (p.p. Div R. Wellinger), Prof. Dr. D. Günther, Dr. M.Höpflinger, Dr. B. Knechtenhofer, K. Holtmann, Div R. Siegenthaler, N. Schenk, Dr. T. Rothacher, Dr. M. Cadisch (p.p. Dr. M. Schärer) Im Bild abwesend KKdt H.P. Walser und Div C. Meier.

Since April 2021, the Strategic Advisory Board of the SDRC DDPS has met twice a year to discuss topics on robotics in the security environment. At the meeting on 8 December 2022, the Board adopted four recommended actions for the SDRC DDPS.

From the Board’s perspective, the DDPS’ competences in security robotics should increase. Furthermore, the SDRC DDPS should identify possible solutions for use and in dealing with new threats in robotics technology. Last but not least, the values and ethics of Swiss society in the Centre’s research work should be addressed in greater depth. The specific recommendations are as follows:

Recommended action 1: «Core competence security robotics»

Developments and applications of security robotics should become core competences of the DDPS.

Recommended action 2: «Application-relevant research and innovation»

The SDRC DDPS identifies the application-relevant potential of robotics and possible solutions for innovative applications.

Recommended action 3: «Recognising and confronting threats»

The SDRC DDPS recognises technological threats posed by the robotics and shows how these can be countered.

Recommended action 4: «Swiss system of values»

The SDRC DDPS pursues the values and ethics of Swiss society and examines technological as well as sociological aspects of robotics.

 

Specific guiding principles for the implementation of all recommended actions were also formulated. Detailed information can be found on the website of the SDRC DDPS

The Strategic Advisory Board of the SDRC DDPS

The members of the Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) have a purely advisory function. The Board’s function, tasks and mode of operation are set out in a charter:

Charta Strategic Advisory Board SDRC DDPS

 

You can find some background information on the members and their points of contact with the SDRC here:

Members of the Strategic Advisory Boards SDRC DDPS

The recommendations do not give rise to any rights or obligations. Nevertheless, they are very valuable for the SDRC DDPS as regards the further development and orientation of the Centre. They are an orientation guide for prioritising work and, thanks to the interdisciplinary mix of the decision-makers, they reduce the risk of «blind spots». Conversely, the recommendations also show how the members of the Advisory Board can actively participate in shaping robotics in the security environment.

Members of the Strategic Advisory Board SDRZ sit at tables in U-formation in a large room
The debate on questions concerning security robotics is in full swing.


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