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 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.