ScentDia: the first social robot with an olfactory dimension

On Feb. 21, 2025, IULM University and the Center for Research on Complex Systems (CRiSiCo) presented the project ScentDia - A novel robotic prEs[s]ence, an innovative fusion of social robotics, philosophy and art, at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan.

Thanks to ScentDia's revolutionary technological innovation, the new conception of the "social robot" as a "social connector," proposed by philosopher of science and IULM University professor Luisa Damiano, opens new perspectives in the contexts in which such technology finds application, such as health care, education, ad personam support, marketing, and entertainment.

ScentDia is the result of a transdisciplinary research project:

• Mari Velonaki, from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, an artist and robotics, creator of the social robot ScentDia;
• Manos Gerakinis, perfume artist, creator of the olfactory dimension of ScentDia;
• Luisa Damiano, professor at IULM University, specialist in philosophy of mind, epistemology of complex systems and social robotics, curator of the scientific aspects of the project

"IULM University has always been a point of reference for the study of communication and marketing, languages, arts, tourism and media, but being at the forefront means being able to read current transformations and anticipate future ones - explained the Rector of IULM University, Professor Valentina Garavaglia, during the presentation of Scent Dia - For this reason, although we are not a STEM University, alongside the disciplines that historically define our identity, we have chosen to invest in research areas such as the philosophy of digital, artificial intelligence, and the theory of complex systems. These new knowledges," the Rector continued, "dialogue with and enrich the humanities, generating new perspectives and opportunities. Today we are presenting a world premiere of a transdisciplinary project that represents this vision of ours: a social robot that combines technology and humanities, innovation and communicative sensitivity. It is not only a step forward from a scientific, technological and philosophical point of view, but also a concrete demonstration of how IULM represents a pole of excellence for the training of professionals capable of understanding contemporary complexity, combining humanistic knowledge and scientific-technological innovation: keeping up with the times means not only adapting to the future, but also contributing to shaping it, with vision, awareness and developing solid critical thinking."

How and where to see ScentDia

ScentDia can be visited at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology (Via San Vittore, 21) inside the Aeronavale Pavilion until March 2, 2025 during museum opening hours: Tuesday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and holidays 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The visit is included in the Museum entrance fee: for tickets and reservation at this link.

To mark the arrival of ScentDia, the Museum is organizing a special weekend dedicated to robotics and artificial intelligence scheduled for Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2. Two days of activities designed to experience firsthand and develop interest in science, creative thinking and innovation.

"ScentDia is a testament to how art, technology and science can intertwine to create new forms of interaction and knowledge. Our Museum, which has always been a bridge between research and society, is the ideal place to host a work that comes from the dialogue between academia, research and creativity. This synergy is essential to explore the future of social robotics and its impact on our lives," comments Fiorenzo Marco Galli, Director General of the Museum.

A bit of history

The first work (2011-2015) in the Diamandini Robotic Series is the interactive humanoid robot Diamandini, created by Mari Velonaki with funding from the Australian Research Council.

The first robot in the Diamandini series responds to the movement and touch of those who interact with "her." It has a sculptural aesthetic with a porcelain-like finish and is very different from the stereotypical humanoid robot. To achieve the ethereal and fluid movement, an innovative omnidirectional motor base was developed, equipped with a patented mechanism that ensures the wheels roll when she changes orientation or speed.

In 2024, Mari Velonaki, on the occasion of the opening of the new National Communications Museum in Melbourne, endowed Diamandini with a new dimension: sonic presence, used to communicate with George, the Talking Clock, as "she" explored the museum environment in which they were immersed.

ScentDia (2025) is the latest work in the Diamandini series, created by Mari Velonaki in collaboration with perfume creator Manos Gerakinis and philosopher of science and IULM professor Luisa Damiano as part of the project A New prEs[s]enza robotica (A novel robotic prEs[s]ence). The humanoid robot interacts with people and its surroundings through movements, sounds and, in particular, olfactory stimuli, incorporated in this version to enrich its social presence and agency. In the olfactory dimension of ScentDia is expressed the first scent developed for a social robot: it does not resemble any biological or human being scent, to promote the philosophical and ethical choice to introduce social robots, in the contexts of our everyday life, as new partners for us humans, and not as our substitutes. Thus ScentDia moves through space releasing a unique trail, which "her" allows those who "meet" her to also olfactively sense her form of presence.

"To shape a sustainable future, we need to change our approach," explains Professor Luisa Damiano. "The humanities cannot just announce the risks that social robots bring. Philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, and ethics must participate in the process of building and disseminating social robots: actively working to ensure that they are created and inserted into the contexts of our everyday lives as our 'partners' and not as 'substitutes.' The idea I propose is to design and build them as 'social connectors': artificial agents that encourage and help us to live better in our relationships, particularly when it comes to caring and supportive relationships. Staying human in the age of AI means taking responsibility for its development. It means organizing the advancement of cognitive technologies around two questions: 'who are we?' and 'who do we want to become?' Orienting innovation toward the direction of our positive self-development," the IULM professor concludes, "requires a dialogue between the sciences that can overcome the sterile alternative between techno-enthusiasm and techno-phobia. By taking the middle path of critical and reflective collaboration."

Credits by ScentDia

• Mari Velonaki: artistic conception, interface and interaction design

in collaboration with

• Manos Gerakinis: conception and creation of the fragrance
• Luisa Damiano: research related to philosophical, epistemological and ethical aspects
• David Rye: design and integration of mechatronic systems
• Ethan Jones: software development and integration of sound and motion
• Marc Katzef: adaptation and integration of scenting mechanisms
• Jorge Forseck Rauh Hain: vision system and testing
• Frederic Robinson: robot sound design and composition
• Rebecca Mannocci: collaborative research with Luisa Damiano
• John Gillies: ScentDia original film and robot sound composition

Project carried out at the Creative Robotics Lab and the National Facility for Human-Robot Interaction Research, UNSW, Sydney.