Peter’s responses to ethics:
Personal statement of Commitment to ethical principles:
I’m committed to upholding ethical conduct in all aspects of my engineering. This means upholding equality, diversity, and inclusion, and ensuring that honesty, integrity, and respect are part of everything I do. The statement of ethical principles issued by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) and Engineering Council (EC) outlines fundamental values that all engineers should adhere to. When referring to the Statement of Ethical Principle, 2005, by the Royal Academy of Engineering, it outlines the important aspects of an engineer with ethical principles.
Aspiring engineers must be committed to ethical conduct, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. Honesty, integrity, and respect are paramount in all fields of engineering and engineering projects. Trust among team members is essential, with everyone fulfilling their roles and responsibilities with diligence. Deception and plagiarism have no place in ethical engineering practice.
Adherence to laws, regulations, and industry standards is non-negotiable for me. I understand the importance of continuously updating my knowledge and skills to prevent errors and improve efficiency.
In group projects like the MicroMouse, EG-252, effective communication, leadership, and respect amongst team members is vital. I recognize the importance of aligning responsibilities with competence and ensuring that all contributions within the team are acknowledged and valued
In conclusion, upholding ethical principles fosters not only successful engineering projects but also a culture of mutual respect and responsibility within engineering teams.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in engineering is vital for innovation and teamwork. Boarder, and more diverse teams can often have a broader, “outside of the box” approach. In my own experience, having a diverse team has helped me as a person to diversify the ranges of backgrounds I have worked with, which is a very important trait to have when aiming to head into industry. It helped the project grow because of the different dynamics among the team members and their ability to approach problems. Each member has a different set of skills to complement the next, which has allowed for the project to be a success in almost all of the areas.
Ethics of Autonomous Vehicles – “Blowing the whistle”
In the context of autonomous vehicle design, our team acknowledges the critical importance of adhering to safety standards to mitigate risks and prevent accidents. Upon the discovery of a significant design flaw that could potentially harm pedestrians, it is our ethical duty as IET members to report these concerns through established channels, if we suspect any malpractices or potential to inflict harm. Should internal channels be inadequate, external reporting to appropriate organizations may be necessary. Whistleblowing in this context is a protected act, ensuring that team members face no discrimination for their disclosures, the team members should also feel comfortable to whistle-blow with no fear of reprisal.
To comply with regulations, the design team must ensure that autonomous vehicles not only meet but exceed the safety performance of human-operated vehicles. Clear communication to consumers regarding the capabilities and limitations of autonomous versus assisted driving technologies is crucial. This distinction is essential to prevent misleading marketing and ensure drivers are aware of their responsibilities.
As Team Juliet’s team manager, I would always encourage my team mates to raise any concerns to me, as their team leader, or other external bodies (if appropriate). Transparency among the team will translate to continuing to comply with safety regulations, which is vitally important for the safety of the public.
Cost Analysis
Cost analysis was conducted for the overall costings of the EG-252 MicroMouse project. The total cost for the project was around £16844.71, which is inclusive of: Electrical Components, Labour, and staff wages.
Ethan’s responses to Sustainability:
Reflection on Sustainability in Design
In our micromouse project, sustainability was an important consideration. As we designed and assembled our micromouse, we focused on materials and components with minimal environmental impact. For instance, we opted to use rechargeable battery packs, reducing potential waste from drained batteries.
Additionally, we considered the durability of our micromouse, aiming for cheap and easy maintenance. By focusing on a modular design, we hope to extend the lifespan of our micromouse by allowing for the quick and simple replacement of parts.
Overall, integrating sustainability into our design process involved making responsible choices that aligned with our values as engineers and contributed positively to the environment.
Maintaining the Website during the Assessment Period
Ensuring the long-term functionality of our project’s website is essential. To achieve this, we have designated a team member, Ethan, responsible for regular website updates and maintenance tasks. This includes adding new documents, updating content as needed, and addressing any technical issues that may arise.
Furthermore, we have utlilised Microsoft Teams for a clear communication channel between team members to allow for easy file transfers.
By implementing these measures, we aim to ensure the reliability and accessibility of our website, providing a seamless experience for users.
Ethics of Autonomous Vehicles: https://eng-252.swan.ac.uk/team-juliet-2024/2024/05/03/ethics-of-autonomous-vehicles