Stephanie van de Sanden

Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Solvay (Belgium)

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About

Stephanie van de Sanden is a pioneering researcher in human-robot interaction, with a focus on deploying social robots in real-world retail and public environments. Her work critically examines how robots like SoftBank’s Pepper can enhance customer experience and the practical challenges of long-term deployment. In her landmark field study, “Humanoid Robot Pepper at a Belgian Chocolate Shop” (2018, 16 citations), she conducted an experiment at Brussels Airport, comparing a Pepper robot to a tablet kiosk in a chocolate-themed quiz. This study revealed nuanced insights into user engagement and the novelty effect—a phenomenon she further explored in her 2023 work (12 citations). Her research demonstrates that while robots initially attract attention, sustained interaction requires careful design to overcome waning interest. Van de Sanden’s contributions are vital for businesses and technologists aiming to integrate robots into service settings. With additional work on robotic shopping (2019, 2 citations), she continues to shape our understanding of how autonomous agents can meaningfully assist in everyday commerce, making her a key voice in the future of retail robotics.