SHINE is a five-year research program focused on how humans and social robots interact in everyday life – with attention to opportunities, challenges, and ethical dilemmas. Our goal is to shed light on the interplay between technology and humanity.
What is SHINE?
SHINE stands for:
- Social Robots
- Humans
- Interaction
- Navigation
- Expectations / Ethics / Environment
We explore how social robots affect and support people’s lives in healthcare, care services, education, and the home – and how technology can be best adapted to human needs, values, and expectations.
Our mission
To promote the understanding and development of meaningful and ethically responsible interactions between social robots and humans – in a changing society.
Our vision
SHINE aims to be a European lighthouse for research in social robotics. We bring together technologists, users, researchers, and policymakers to create technologies that are centered around people – not the other way around.
Our focus areas 2025–2030
- Interdisciplinary research in technology, ethics, sociology, and health
- Development and testing of social robots in real-life environments (living labs)
- Ethical principles for responsible technology development
- Education of future researchers and practitioners
- Dialogue and transparency at the intersection of technology and society
Current projects
- Evaluation of social robots in nursing homes in Aarhus Municipality: Long-term Effects and Insights (2025–2027)
- See video from kick-off (in Danish)
- Exploration of the Navel Robot in collaboration with Aarhus Municipality (2025)
- Schoolcare – use of telepresence robots for children with cancer (2025–2028)
Previous Projects
- Use of the social robot LOVOT for children with autism spectrum disorder: A feasibility study (2023)
- Evaluation of LOVOT in interaction with adults with developmental disabilities and autism (2023)
- Use of a social robot (LOVOT) for persons with dementia: An exploratory study (2020–2023)
- Use of telepresence robots for children with school refusal (2022)
Examples of Publications
- Evaluation of the Use of LOVOT – a Social Robot for Older Adults with Dementia by Dinesen et al., 2021 (Danish)
- Dinesen B, Hansen HK, Grønborg GB, Dyrvig AK, Leisted SD, Stenstrup H, Skov Schacksen C, Oestergaard C. Use of a Social Robot (LOVOT) for Persons With Dementia: Exploratory Study. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2022;9(3):e36505. DOI: 10.2196/36505
Get Involved and Stay Updated
We invite citizens, organizations, companies, and decision-makers to follow – and contribute to – SHINE through student projects or
research collaborations.
There will be ongoing conferences, webinars, and workshops.
Contact
Professor Birthe Dinesen