In recent years, robotics has evolved beyond industrial and research applications to become an active contributor to human well-being. This plenary talk presents a set of robotic projects developed at the Automation and Robotics Laboratory of the University of Minho (Guimarães, Portugal), focusing on how technology can directly improve people’s lives.

The presentation will highlight several ongoing initiatives that combine engineering, creativity, and social purpose. Among them is CHARMIE, a domestic and healthcare assistant robot designed to support elderly people or patients in hospitals and nursing homes; a wheelchair with omnidirectional motion, enabling greater mobility and independence for users with reduced mobility; and the adaptation of commercial toys for children with cerebral palsy, promoting play as a form of therapy and inclusion.

The session will also showcase the creation of RoboParty, an educational robotics event that introduces thousands of young students — including those with special needs — to the world of technology in an inclusive and playful environment.

The goal of this presentation is to demonstrate that robotics can and should be used to empower people, not replace them — providing autonomy, dignity, and joy through innovation. By combining academic research with social impact, these projects exemplify how engineering can serve humanity in meaningful ways.

Prof. Fernando Ribeiro is an Associate Professor with Habilitation at the University of Minho (Portugal), where he founded the Laboratory of Automation and Robotics (LAR) in 1998. Over the past three decades, he has led groundbreaking work in mobile and autonomous robotics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, and automation. He has supervised numerous Master’s and PhD students, and published over 150 scientific papers, while giving more than 200 invited talks on robotics across the globe.

He is president of the Portuguese Robotics Society and Director/Editor of Robotica (Portuguese Scientific Journal).

A key figure in international robotics education and outreach, Prof. Ribeiro created RoboParty, a unique educational event that has introduced thousands of young people to robotics since 2007. The botnroll robot was specifically developed by his team for RoboParty. He also co-founded the spin-off company SAR (Solutions for Automation and Robotics), which develops industrial and educational robotic solutions (botnroll.com).

Prof. Ribeiro has been deeply involved in RoboCup since 1999, participating in leagues such as Middle Size League, @Home, Humanoid, and Junior Soccer and Dance. He served as a RoboCup Trustee (2013–2024), Vice-President (2018–2023), and has chaired and organized multiple national and international robotics competitions and symposiums.

His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Order of Public Education by the President of Portugal in 2005, for his impact on science and education. Prof. Ribeiro remains strongly committed to promoting STEM education, organizing events, school visits, and developing robotics clubs that inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.