In this article, we argue that the low-tech narrative redefined by a French low-tech movement in recent years can be considered as a legitimate research object for design research. Based on the French low-tech movement's literature, we present the definitions of the low-tech concept as an approach driven by principles and highlight two theorical limitations of this type of definition. Based on a value-sensitive design approach, we present transdisciplinary research results through a value-driven low-tech model and discussed its limitations and possible use as a tool for engineers.

Complex new functionalities and dissimilar stakeholder groups pose challenges to the requirement analysis for driverless vehicles. To overcome these challenges, we propose a value-oriented reference process for innovative functionalities of an autonomous family vehicle. The value-oriented measures are taken from the approach of Value Sensitive Design. In our application, we have found that the consideration of the human values involved is of great importance for the identification of stakeholders and the management of their potentially conflicting interests throughout the development process.

Policymakers have attempted to preemptively address the concern of ethical issues with the regulation of automated vehicles. Unfortunately, both policymakers and designers of these technologies struggle to articulate ethical issues and their resolution. We propose a framework that engineers and designers of automated technologies can apply that allows them to identify and resolve ethical tensions within the design task. We demonstrate the practicability of the framework to the engineering design process through a human-subject study where engineers applied the framework in a workshop.