The Search and Rescue Drone

This chapter illustrates the value-sensitive design of a prototype Danish search and rescue drone. First, ethical considerations including human welfare, explicability, and trust are discussed; special ethical considerations come into play in the search and rescue context, as victims are particularly vulnerable. Then, Denmark and the social context in which the drone will be used are described. The drone’s use plan is detailed, and various stakeholders that will be impacted by the technology are identified. Finally, these inputs are used to inform the technological design of the prototype drone; the drone employs a telepresence system via a large screen, a microphone, and speakers with the aim of enhancing explicability and trust through human–human interaction between the rescuer and the victim.¹ The chapter ends with reflections on if the drone should be built.