Case of the Killer Robot

The Case of the Killer Robot is a detailed scenario that combines elements of software engineering and computer ethics.

The scenario consists of fictitious articles that touch on specific issues in software engineering and computer ethics. The articles discuss programs such as programmer psychology, team dynamics, user interfaces, software process models, software testing, the nature of requirements, software theft, and privacy. A major consideration is "when is the software good enough?"

The articles in the scenario begin with the indictment for manslaughter of a programmer who wrote faulty code that caused the death of a robot operator. Slowly, over the course of many articles, students are introduced to factors within the software company that also contributed to the accident. They are shown software development as a social process. It is hoped that students will begin to realize the complexity of the task of building real-world software and to see some of the ethical issues intertwined in that complexity.

This scenario is about 70 pages long and includes some tongue-in-cheek humor.

For permission see author information.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction and Cast of Characters
2. Silicon Valley Programmer Indicted For Manslaughter: Program Error Caused Death by Robot
3. Developers of "Killer Robot" Worked Under Enormous Stress
4. "Killer Robot" Programmer Was Prima Donna, Co-Workers Claim
5. "Killer Robot" Project Mired in Controversy Right from Start
6. Silicon Techtronics Promised To Deliver a Safe Robot
7. The Killer Robot Interface
8. Software Engineer Challenges Authenticity of "Killer Robot" Software Tests
9. Silicon Techtronics Employee Admits Faking Software Tests
10. A Conversation with Dr. Harry Yoder
11. Richard G. Epstein