ABSTRACT
This chapter develops an ontology for classifying such robots on the basis of their autonomy, volitionality, and localizability. Utilizing ontological framework, it considers the moral and legal responsibility that would be borne for their actions by several types of nonlocalizable robots, beginning with those that demonstrate the lowest levels of autonomy and volitionality. A nonlocalizable robot is not simply a multi-agent system or collection of autonomous robots, but a single entity possessing a unitary identity that can be at least theoretically capable of possessing autonomy and metavolitionality. For robots, possessing autonomy means being "capable of operating in the real-world environment without any form of external control for extended periods of time". Many current and anticipated systems for ambient intelligence and ubiquitous robotics are multilocal. There are several branches of law and ethics from which one can draw insights and inspiration when attempting to develop legal and ethical frameworks that addresses the question of responsibility on the part of nonlocalizable robots.
