Autonomous systems are changing production, mobility, energy and our everyday lives – across all industries. In order for us to be able to use these systems safely, responsibly and effectively, the coexistence of existing disciplines is no longer sufficient. Fraunhofer IESE, together with partners from science and industry, is outlining a new cross-sectional discipline – the Autonomics – which brings together technology, society and theory in order to shape autonomy holistically.
Why a new discipline for autonomous systems is needed
Autonomous systems are rapidly changing how we develop, operate and regulate – from vehicles to energy systems to digital infrastructures. Their central characteristic of acting independently in dynamic contexts overshadows classic disciplinary boundaries: mechanics, electrical engineering and computer science alone are not enough to holistically master goal conflicts, uncertainties and responsibility. In addition, these systems are rarely isolated, but rather part of networked “systems of systems” with changing actors, data flows and market roles.
When establishing new technologies, conflicting goals often arise that arise from individual disciplinary perspectives: For example, securing autonomy and cost-effectiveness initially seem to be in conflict. The complexity of an autonomous system can also contradict its ease of operation or usability. Likewise, the technically necessary sensory environmental recording can be problematic with regard to data protection interests or the general ethical use of an autonomous system.
That’s why a new discipline is needed: Autonomics. It bundles technical excellence (control, optimization, data science, software and systems engineering) with safety, security, resilience and runtime assurance, links these with legal, social and economic sciences (liability, approval, ethics, acceptance, business models) and supplements them with theoretical foundations (system and complexity theory). This creates resilient architectures, reliable evidence (“how safe is safe enough?”), workable operating processes and sustainable governance.
What is involved in autonomy?
Autonomics is characterized by interdisciplinarity and is therefore based on three central pillars:
- Technical autonomy includes the engineering of autonomous systems across the entire chain from sensors, actuators and software to operation. These include robotics, networked embedded systems, IT and cloud architectures as well as data science methods for perception, prediction and decision-making. Safety and security are an integral part: Only when functional safety, cyber security and runtime assurance work together can systems act reliably in dynamic environments.
- Socioautonomics addresses the framework conditions so that autonomy can be put into practice responsibly and accepted. Law, economics, labor and social sciences clarify liability and approval, design incentive systems and governance and create the basis for trustworthy products and business models. Organizational processes, qualification and participation of stakeholders are just as important so that technology and operations mesh smoothly.
- Theoretical Autonomics provides the common thinking and analysis tool. Systems and complexity theory, resilience research and models for the dynamics of systems from systems help to understand behavior under uncertainty, to anticipate emergent effects and to justify architectural decisions. This theory connects technology and society: it makes risks and effects quantifiable, supports evidence and leads to viable design principles for reliable autonomy.
Frequently asked questions about autonomics
- What distinguishes autonomics from classic systems engineering?
In addition to technology, autonomics also systematically integrates law, society and economic aspects. Autonomics is therefore the basis for establishing certain autonomous systems that cannot be implemented from a disciplinary perspective. Autonomics also avoids frictional losses that would arise from the coordination of disciplinary approaches, since autonomics already takes the fundamentals of the disciplines into account at its core.
- How does autonomics address regulatory requirements?
Autonomic supports approval and compliance through integrated safety/security approaches, runtime assurance and evidence-based evidence. At the same time, social aspects are taken into account so that ethical, acceptable solutions are created.
- Who is autonomics relevant for?
For manufacturers, operators, regulators and service providers in sectors such as mobility, production, energy, agriculture and public infrastructure.
literature
How can Fraunhofer IESE support the topic of “autonomous systems” and “autonomics”?
With our comprehensive expertise on the following topics »Autonomous systems«, »Safety” and “Dependable AI« We, Fraunhofer IESE, offer companies comprehensive support from a single source when it comes to establishing and designing autonomous systems. Fraunhofer IESE is particularly interested in your research questions on autonomics:
- Where do you see hurdles: technology, regulation, acceptance or business models?
- What challenges do you face when introducing autonomous systems?
Contact us to set up pilot projects, evaluations or guidelines for autonomous systems together. You can also find more background information in the white paper.
