A framework for centralizing ethics in the design engineering of spatial computing artifacts

Creating Spatial Computing (SComp) artifacts (including Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, and Ambient Intelligent artifacts) is a rapidly-emerging domain in need of new design methodologies. In this paper, we examine whether and how ethics are procedurally integrated into the creations of SComp artifacts. After an introduction to terminology—including a re-framed definition of Spatial Computing—findings of interviews with Spatial Computing practitioners are shared. The interviews indicated an awareness among professionals about the inordinate vulnerability of SComp artifacts, and about the need for—and the lack thereof—processes and tests to mitigate negative effects of SComp artifacts. Results from the domain expert interviews are integrated into a proposed framework: The Framework for Ethical Spatial Computing Design Engineering. Our framework serves to support researchers and practitioners in devising new methodologies unique to Spatial Computing by highlighting considerations central to the creation of ethical artifacts. The framework integrates the findings from the in-depth interview study and builds on existing models in Design Process, Methods, and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) Research that highlight important barriers and opportunities between research and practice. It maps the three-phases journey consisted of (1) Enablers, (2) Synthesizers, and (3) SComp Artifacts. We trust that our work sheds light on considerations necessary to the creation of ethical Spatial Computing artifacts.