{"framework_schema_version":"0.1.0","taxonomy":"autonomy-boundary","description":"Cross-cohort architectural axis distinguishing who is the decision-maker + who is the actor across robotic / autonomous-system deployments. Four-way taxonomy.","count":4,"tiers":[{"slug":"autonomous-execution","label":"Autonomous execution","definition":"AI is the primary decision-maker AND the actor. The robot or system executes physical action without operator commit-per-action; the operator role is limited to setup, oversight, or abort. The clearance or authorization scope explicitly covers the autonomous mode (not just an operator-supervised mode).","verification_criteria":"Clearance scope explicit on autonomous mode (not operator-supervised mode); operator role limited to setup / abort / oversight; AI executes physical action without operator commit-per-action.","common_drift_patterns":["Conflating clearance for operator-supervised mode with clearance for autonomous-execution mode.","Marketing-as-autonomous what is technically AI-augmented-operator-controlled (operator still commits each action).","Treating an autonomous demonstration / showroom-mode as a verified deployment."],"cohort_applicability":["surgical","maritime","av","drone","sidewalk"],"canonical_examples":[{"entitySlug":"monogram-mbos","entityType":"model","rationale":"Monogram mBos executes the bone cut under AI control within a surgeon-approved CT plan. The KUKA arm is the actor; the AI is the decision-maker within the approved plan envelope."}],"editorial_reference":null},{"slug":"ai-augmented-operator-controlled","label":"AI-augmented operator-controlled","definition":"Operator acts directly; AI provides bounds, assists, and / or enforces a safety envelope around the operator's actions. Operator commits each significant action; AI constrains or augments rather than executes. The operator is the decision-maker AND the actor.","verification_criteria":"Operator commits each significant action; AI constrains / augments rather than executes; safety envelope or haptic feedback or visual guidance present but not action-replacing.","common_drift_patterns":["Aggregator framing as 'AI-powered' or 'autonomous' without distinguishing the operator-commit-per-action gate.","Conflating haptic boundary enforcement with autonomous execution."],"cohort_applicability":["surgical","construction","av","amr"],"canonical_examples":[{"entitySlug":"stryker-mako","entityType":"model","rationale":"Mako: the surgeon manipulates the saw within haptic boundaries that the AI enforces. The cut is the operator's; the bound is the AI's."},{"entitySlug":"smith-nephew-cori","entityType":"model","rationale":"CORI knee: operator-controlled cuts within AI-defined boundaries; same architectural pattern as Mako."},{"entitySlug":"zimmer-biomet-rosa","entityType":"model","rationale":"ROSA knee: AI-augmented operator-controlled (same family pattern as Mako + CORI on the orthopedic-robotic axis)."}],"editorial_reference":null},{"slug":"replacement-robotics-teleoperated","label":"Replacement robotics (teleoperated)","definition":"Operator teleoperates a remote or scale-shifted robotic system; AI may assist control loops but the operator is the decision-maker per action. Teleoperation infrastructure (console + bandwidth + latency budget) is the load-bearing dependency. The operator's hand motions, voice commands, or eye-tracking translate into robot actions in real time.","verification_criteria":"Operator presence required for any non-trivial action; teleoperation infrastructure load-bearing; manipulators replicate operator input rather than executing autonomously.","common_drift_patterns":["Demonstrating teleoperated behavior + marketing it as autonomous.","Conflating remote-piloting with autonomous-execution."],"cohort_applicability":["surgical","humanoid","maritime","construction"],"canonical_examples":[{"entitySlug":"intuitive-da-vinci","entityType":"model","rationale":"Da Vinci surgical system: surgeon at console; manipulators replicate hand motion in real time. The canonical replacement-robotics anchor in surgical."},{"entitySlug":"medtronic-hugo","entityType":"model","rationale":"Medtronic Hugo: surgeon-at-console teleoperated soft-tissue platform; same architectural pattern as da Vinci."},{"entitySlug":"jnj-ottava","entityType":"model","rationale":"J&J Ottava: same teleoperated-from-console architecture; pre-market."},{"entitySlug":"cmr-versius","entityType":"model","rationale":"CMR Surgical Versius: modular teleoperated surgical platform; canonical for the architecture pattern."},{"entitySlug":"1x-neo","entityType":"model","rationale":"1X NEO consumer deployments: teleoperated for most current demonstrations; autonomy is the goal, not the present-state verified capability. Per cap-flag on the NEO entity."}],"editorial_reference":null},{"slug":"assistive-co-pilot","label":"Assistive co-pilot","definition":"Operator acts directly with embedded AI augmentation that influences but does not constrain action. AI is present in the action loop but the operator has full control authority; AI suggests, highlights, or surfaces context rather than enforcing bounds.","verification_criteria":"AI present in action loop but operator has full control authority; AI suggests / highlights rather than constrains; no haptic boundary or safety envelope action-enforcement.","common_drift_patterns":["Marketing 'AI-augmented' without distinguishing co-pilot from operator-controlled-with-boundaries.","Conflating decision support with action constraint."],"cohort_applicability":["surgical","wearable","biometric"],"canonical_examples":[{"entitySlug":"moon-maestro","entityType":"model","rationale":"Moon Surgical Maestro: surgeon manipulates the instrument directly; AI provides assistance (instrument-handling automation, context surfacing) without enforcing action constraints. Co-pilot pattern."}],"editorial_reference":null}],"canonical_source":"src/lib/framework/autonomy_boundary_tiers.ts (DEPLOY rover repo)"}