report:eth

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revision Previous revision
Next revision		 Previous revision
report:eth [2026/04/07 12:43] – [Introduction] team6report:eth [2026/04/20 17:44] (current) – [Environmental Ethics] epsatisep
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 ==== Introduction ====  ==== Introduction ==== 
-//Provide here an overview of the contents (structure) of this chapter.// 
  
-//In a context where technological developments and professional responsibilities are constantly evolving, ethical and deontological issues have become essential in guiding decision-making and professional conduct. Beyond technical skills, professionals are expected to act in accordance with moral principles, legal frameworks, and the broader interests of society. These considerations contribute to building trust, ensuring accountability, and preventing harmful practices.+/*//Provide here an overview of the contents (structure) of this chapter. 
 + 
 +In a context where technological developments and professional responsibilities are constantly evolving, ethical and deontological issues have become essential in guiding decision-making and professional conduct. Beyond technical skills, professionals are expected to act in accordance with moral principles, legal frameworks, and the broader interests of society. These considerations contribute to building trust, ensuring accountability, and preventing harmful practices. //*/
  
 Ethics plays a central role in engineering design, ensuring that technological solutions contribute positively to society while avoiding harm. In a context where technological developments and professional responsibilities are constantly evolving, ethical and deontological issues have become essential in guiding decision-making and professional conduct. Beyond technical skills, engineers are expected to act in accordance with moral principles, legal frameworks, and the broader interests of society. Ethics plays a central role in engineering design, ensuring that technological solutions contribute positively to society while avoiding harm. In a context where technological developments and professional responsibilities are constantly evolving, ethical and deontological issues have become essential in guiding decision-making and professional conduct. Beyond technical skills, engineers are expected to act in accordance with moral principles, legal frameworks, and the broader interests of society.
Line 11: Line 12:
  
 The analysis is based on engineering ethics principles and sustainable development frameworks. Key topics include engineering ethics, ethical considerations in sales and communication, environmental responsibility, and liability. Special attention is given to user well-being, sustainability, accessibility, and safety. Finally, this chapter also connects ethical considerations to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Design for Sustainability (D4S) approach used in the project. The analysis is based on engineering ethics principles and sustainable development frameworks. Key topics include engineering ethics, ethical considerations in sales and communication, environmental responsibility, and liability. Special attention is given to user well-being, sustainability, accessibility, and safety. Finally, this chapter also connects ethical considerations to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Design for Sustainability (D4S) approach used in the project.
 +==== Engineering Ethics ====
  
-==== Engineering Ethics ====  
- 
-//Let's start with Engineering Ethics, which is part of the Business and Corporate Ethics. In many countries the Code of ethics of the engineering profession is contained into the official statutes, such as the Statutes of the Order of Engineers in the case of Portugal. 
- 
-This code is intended to guide future engineers by including several deotological obligations such as:  
-  * Duties to the profession 
-  * Duties to the community 
-  * Duties to the employer / client 
-  * Duties to colleagues// 
  
 Engineering ethics is part of business and corporate ethics and focuses on the responsibilities of engineers toward society, the profession, and stakeholders. Engineers must ensure that their work contributes positively to people and the environment, while minimizing risks and harm. Engineering ethics is part of business and corporate ethics and focuses on the responsibilities of engineers toward society, the profession, and stakeholders. Engineers must ensure that their work contributes positively to people and the environment, while minimizing risks and harm.
Line 27: Line 20:
  
 For this project, the following ethical duties are particularly relevant: For this project, the following ethical duties are particularly relevant:
- 
  
 - Duties to the profession: - Duties to the profession:
Line 42: Line 34:
  
  
-==== Sales and Marketing Ethics ==== +==== Sales and Marketing Ethics ====
  
-In this project, it is important to avoid exaggerating the impact of the solution. While immersive environments can reduce stress, it is unethical to claim guaranteed medical outcomes without sufficient scientific evidence.+The marketing approach for the multisensory cocoon concept is based on ethical principles of honesty, transparency, and responsibility. As the system is designed to improve patient well-being, it is essential to communicate its benefits without exaggeration or misleading claims.
  
-Ethical marketing requires:+While immersive environments have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, it would be unethical to present the solution as a guaranteed medical outcome without sufficient scientific evidence. Therefore, the concept is positioned as a supportive tool that enhances the patient experience, rather than a replacement for medical treatment.
  
-- Honest communication about the benefits and limitations of the system+The communication strategy focuses on clearly presenting both the strengths and limitations of the system. By providing accurate and realistic information, the design builds trust between designers, healthcare professionals, and patients. This approach ensures that expectations remain aligned with the actual capabilities of the product, while maintaining ethical integrity in a healthcare context. 
 +==== Environmental Ethics ====
  
-- Avoiding misleading claims about medical effectiveness+Environmental responsibility plays a key role in the development of the multisensory cocoon concept. In line with principles of sustainable engineering, the design aims to balance environmental, social, and economic aspects throughout the product’s life cycle.
  
-- Presenting the concept as a supportive tool, not a replacement for medical treatment+A major environmental consideration within this project is energy consumption. The system relies on components such as projectors, sensors, and potentially a small Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, which together contribute to the overall environmental impact during the use phase. Based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), this phase represents the most significant environmental burden. Therefore, reducing energy consumption is a primary design focus, for example by selecting energy-efficient components and minimizing unnecessary system activity.
  
 +Material selection is another important aspect of environmental ethics. The cocoon structure is primarily based on materials such as aluminum, which is durable and recyclable, combined with functional materials like technical Polyethylene Terephthalate (PVC) and foam. While some of these materials have environmental drawbacks, they are chosen for their performance and longevity. By prioritizing durability, the design reduces the need for frequent replacement and therefore minimizes waste over time.
  
-This ensures trust between designers, healthcare professionals, and patients.+In addition, the project considers the end-of-life phase of the product. The cocoon is designed with disassembly in mind, allowing different materials and components to be separated and recycled more easily. This approach helps to reduce electronic waste and supports a more circular use of resources.
  
 +Overall, the environmental strategy of the project follows a life-cycle approach (“cradle-to-grave”), ensuring that environmental impact is considered at every stage of the design. By combining energy efficiency, responsible material selection, and end-of-life considerations, the cocoon concept contributes to a more sustainable and ethically responsible healthcare solution.
  
-==== Environmental Ethics ==== +==== Liability ====
  
-Environmental ethics plays a key role in engineering decisions. Sustainable development requires balancing environmental, social, and economic aspects. 
  
-For this project, the main environmental concerns are:+Liability refers to the responsibility engineers have for the safety, reliability, and legal compliance of their product. In healthcare-related applications, this responsibility is especially important, as failures can directly impact patient safety and well-being.
  
-- Energy consumption (projectors, sensors, HVAC systems)+For the multisensory cocoon concept, several potential risks must be carefully considered. These include electrical hazards related to components such as projectors, sensors, and wiring, as well as fire risks associated with electronic systems in a semi-enclosed environment. In addition, physical safety plays a key role, as the structure must remain stable and accessible for all users, including patients with reduced mobility.
  
-- Material use (aluminum structure, PVC, electronics) +To minimize these risks, the design follows established safety principles and regulations. Electrical components are intended to operate at low voltage where possible and must be safely enclosed to prevent user contact. The structural design is developed to ensure stability and safe use, while also allowing easy and secure access. Clear instructions for use and maintenance are necessary to prevent misuse and ensure correct operation.
- +
-- End-of-life (electronic waste and recyclability) +
- +
- +
-According to sustainable engineering principles: +
- +
-- Engineers should adopt a life-cycle approach (“cradle-to-grave”) +
- +
-- Designs should aim for durability, recyclability, and low environmental impact. +
- +
- +
-This means the cocoon should: +
- +
-- Use recyclable materials where possible +
- +
-- Minimize energy consumption +
- +
-- Be designed for disassembly and recycling +
- +
- +
- +
-==== Liability ====  +
- +
-Liability refers to the responsibility engineers have for the safety and performance of their product. +
- +
-In this project, key risks include: +
- +
-- Electrical safety (projector, sensors, wiring) +
- +
-- Fire hazards (electronics and enclosed space) +
- +
-- Physical safety (structure stability and accessibility) +
- +
- +
-Engineers must: +
- +
-- Comply with relevant standards and regulations (e.g. CE, safety norms). +
- +
-- Ensure the product is safe under normal and foreseeable misuse. +
- +
-- Clearly define limitations of use. +
- +
- +
-Failure to address these risks could result in harm to patients and legal consequences.+
  
 +Compliance with relevant European regulations is essential to ensure legal safety and product reliability. These include directives such as the Machinery Directive, Low Voltage Directive (LVD), EMC Directive, and RoHS Directive. By adhering to these standards, the product can meet the requirements for CE marking and be safely implemented in healthcare environments.
  
 +Failure to address these safety and regulatory aspects could result in harm to patients, damage to property, and legal consequences. Therefore, liability considerations play a crucial role in guiding the design toward a safe, reliable, and responsible solution.
 ==== Summary ==== ==== Summary ====
  
  
-//Provide here the conclusions of this chapter and make the bridge to the next chapter.// +The multisensory cocoon concept integrates ethical, environmental, and legal considerations throughout the design process. The project focuses on improving patient well-being by creating a safe, non-invasive, and supportive environment.
- +
-//Based on this ethical and deontological analysis, the team chose <specify here the design, technique(s) material(s), component(s)> for the following <specify here the relevant ethics-related reasons>.    +
-Consequently, the team decided to design a solution with the following <specify here the features added for ethical reasons>.  // +
- +
-This chapter highlighted the importance of ethical and deontological considerations in engineering design. The project must not only be technically feasible, but also socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and safe for users. +
- +
-Based on this ethical and deontological analysis, the team chose to design a non-wearable immersive cocoon environment using projection technology, a strong aluminum structure, and integrated sensory components, because these choices: +
- +
-Improve patient comfort without requiring intrusive devices +
-Reduce hygiene risks compared to wearable solutions +
-Allow for a safer and more accessible user experience +
- +
-Consequently, the team decided to design a solution with the following ethically driven features:+
  
-A non-invasive design (no wearables) to ensure comfort and hygiene +Environmental responsibility is addressed through a life-cycle approach, with attention to energy consumption, material use, and end-of-life. Insights from the LCA led to a focus on energy efficiency, supported by Design for Sustainability (D4S) strategies.
-Energy-efficient components to reduce environmental impact +
-Safe and stable structure to protect users +
-Accessible design for different patient groups (including reduced mobility) +
-Honest positioning as a supportive tool, not a medical treatment+
  
-This ethical approach ensures that the final design aligns with both professional responsibilities and the broader goals of sustainable and responsible engineering.+Marketing is based on transparency, presenting the cocoon as a supportive tool rather than a medical solution. In addition, the design considers relevant EU directives to ensure safety and compliance.
  
 +Overall, the project demonstrates how technology can be designed responsibly by balancing user needs, environmental impact, and legal requirements.
  
 +The following chapter presents the project development and final design.
  • report/eth.1775562225.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2026/04/07 12:43
  • by team6