Ethical Internal Logistics 4.0: Observations and Suggestions from a Working Internal Logistics Case

In this paper we present our experiences and insights from a Use Case in heavy industry, where OCR text recognition is combined with algorithms to correctly identify labels for additives to be introduced into a production process. Ethical issues are presented relative to the effects of the Use Case upon the shop floor operators using the newtechnology. We then discuss recommendations given and our success in getting them implemented. An argument follows, regarding what we view as the source of many of the ethical issues: the unreflective acceptance of Industry 4.0 and Internal Logistics 4.0 as a generalized and idealized 'plan' to which technological development and the human operator have to adapt. We contrast this to an approach where the needs of the human in the work context would drive and limit Internal Logistics 4.0 development as a set of gradual improvements tailored to the worker's situation.