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.

This is especially important in healthcare environments, where user safety, well-being, and trust are critical. This chapter examines the ethical and deontological aspects of the multisensory cocoon concept, designed to improve patient experience through immersive projection technology.

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 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.

According to principles of sustainable engineering, engineers must aim to maximize positive impact and minimize negative impact on both people and the environment . This is especially relevant in healthcare-related projects, where user safety and well-being are critical.

For this project, the following ethical duties are particularly relevant:

• Duties to the profession: The team must ensure that the design is safe, reliable, and based on sound engineering principles. The system should not create additional risks for patients or healthcare staff.
• Duties to the community: The solution aims to improve patient well-being by reducing stress and anxiety. This aligns with the ethical responsibility to contribute positively to society.
• Duties to the employer/client: The design must be feasible, realistic, and aligned with healthcare needs and constraints. It should provide real value and not just a conceptual benefit.
• Duties to colleagues: The project requires collaboration across disciplines (design, healthcare, technology). Ethical behavior includes clear communication, respect, and shared responsibility.

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.

Ethical marketing requires:

• Honest communication about the benefits and limitations of the system.
• Avoiding misleading claims about medical effectiveness.
• Presenting the concept as a supportive tool, not a replacement for medical treatment.

This ensures trust between designers, healthcare professionals, and patients.

Environmental Ethics

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:

• Energy consumption (projectors, sensors, HVAC systems).
• Material use (aluminum structure, PVC, electronics).
• 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.