Barak Lisak

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About

Barak Lisak is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-robot interaction and gerontechnology, whose work fundamentally challenges how we design robotic companions for healthy older adults. His most influential contribution, the 2020 paper "Companionship Is Not a Function," has garnered 57 citations and reshaped the field by demonstrating that traditional zoomorphic or humanoid companion robots—while effective in clinical settings—can feel degrading to healthy older adults who do not identify as frail or dependent. Lisak’s key insight was that these individuals primarily struggle with feelings of not "being-seen" as valued members of society, rather than lacking functional companionship. To address this, he designed and implemented a novel robotic object that prioritizes subtle social presence over anthropomorphic mimicry, creating a more dignified interaction that acknowledges the user’s autonomy and social worth. This work has profound implications for aging-in-place technologies, shifting the design paradigm from task-oriented assistance to emotionally resonant, non-stigmatizing engagement. Lisak’s research continues to influence how engineers and psychologists collaborate to build robots that respect the identity and lived experience of aging populations, making him a vital voice in the future of assistive robotics.