Title: Ethical decision-making process of autonomous vehicles

Authors: Sebastian Rein

Addresses: University of Applied Management Studies, Mannheim, Germany

Abstract: The inclination and focus on ethically responsible autonomous vehicles should increase, as this contributes to higher social compatibility and societal acceptance of this modern technology. Current literature on self-driving cars has already extensively addressed ethics. Nevertheless, there are some research gaps, partially addressed in the respective research questions. The first research question pertains to the ultimate arrangement of these ethical theories and principles in the ethical decision-making functions of autonomous vehicles. Additionally, the second research question deals with risk ethics and how it and its associated tools, such as risk thresholds, can be utilised in the decision-making processes. Through a qualitative study involving interviews with ten experts, the existing literature is partially confirmed and there are new insights offered. In conclusion, the results from the literature and interviews are compiled into a final model that provides companies with essential ethical principles for the ethical decision-making process of an autonomous vehicle.

Keywords: autonomous driving; self-driving cars; road traffic regulations; artificial intelligence; AI; ethical theories and principles; ethical decision-making process; randomisation; deontology; utilitarianism; risk ethics; contractualism; virtue ethics.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2025.151260

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2025 Vol.18 No.2/3, pp.227 - 243

Received: 06 Nov 2024
Accepted: 06 Mar 2025
Published online: 19 Jan 2026 *

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