Studies of the overall impact of robotics on the economy have shown that investments in its various sectors – industrial, professional and service robotics – are increasing globally and the markets associated with them are valued in billions. Robotization improves the competitiveness of enterprises, while collaborative robotics reinvents methods of production.
Beyond the economic outlook, service robotics, backed by the development of artificial intelligence, raises challenging ethical and social issues.
The legal analysis of robotics is no mean feat because it covers a very diverse technical reality. Companies whose businesses are focused on robotic technologies and applications can be confronted with a complex legal situation resulting from the plurality of the applicable rules which have not necessarily been conceived or adopted bearing in mind their specific constraints.
This situation should not hamper their development. It only implies taking cues from the economic legal norms which promote such developments and conducting an analysis of the legal risks which they face, given the applicable rules of liability.
This comparative study – carried out by members of the Lexing® Network – proposes an overview, having regard to the legislation of 17 different countries, of the legal issues raised by robotics and the way the law in force responds, in a more or less satisfactory manner. Discover the authors & contributors in details under the tab 'Extraits'.
The international development of SMEs is an important growth vehicle for the Belgian and European economies. Yet far too few of them actually dare to take the step required. Does this mean to say that they should see internationalisation as a given? No, of course not! Internationalisation has a significant impact on companies’ decision-making and managerial processes. The risks involved need to be covered and the right form of funding found. There are numerous public measures in place aimed at supporting businesses in their efforts. The aim of “The Internationalisation of SMEs” is to inform business-owners about the various aspects of internationalisation and to provide them with practical answers about the ways they can find funding and cover themselves against the risks they incur. It also draws up a list of the public support measures designed to support Belgian SMEs in their projects abroad.
