Automated detect and avoid: Autonomy and ethics

• DAA system autonomy can be increased stepwise, but the gradual increase in LOA can occlude a fundamental transition. What may seem a small step from a technical point of view can be a leap into uncertainty from an ethical perspective • Given the current level of DAA automation, there is room for further automation, enabling several of the use-cases discussed in this paper • At the level of DAA automation where pilot judgment concerning maneuver decisions is to be replaced by an automated function, the more fundamental question introduced in this paper applies • For concepts that aim to fully automate the orient-decide-act phase, the credit given to the contribution of pilot judgment must be made explicit • To allow for certain increases of automation, while preventing increments in automation that may be burdened with fundamental ethical question, a more refined use of automation definitions is necessary from a regulatory perspective • Similar to considering human-factors in the design of automation that interacts with humans, ethics shouid be considered in the design of automation that is intended to replace human judgment that affects the safety of other humans.