Han Sub Kwak

Korea University of Science and Technology, Korea Food Research Institute

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Han Sub Kwak is an emerging researcher specializing in the intersection of food science, consumer behavior, and food robotics — a rapidly growing field examining how automated technologies are reshaping the food service industry. His work sits at a compelling crossroads between sensory science and human-technology interaction, addressing timely questions about consumer acceptance of robots in culinary and hospitality contexts. Kwak's most notable contribution, "Robot versus Human Barista" (2023), has garnered 10 citations and represents a rigorous investigation combining gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of volatile compounds with consumer sensory evaluation and emotional response profiling — demonstrating both technical depth and applied relevance. His subsequent eye-tracking study (2024) introduced innovative psychophysiological methodology to assess how consumers visually engage with robot baristas compared to human counterparts, offering rare behavioral insights beyond traditional survey approaches. His 2025 work further broadens this agenda by examining how robot design aesthetics and contextual information influence consumer willingness to try robot-prepared food. Together, these studies position Kwak as a pioneering voice in food robot acceptance research, producing evidence-based frameworks that food industry professionals, technology developers, and policymakers can draw upon as automation becomes increasingly embedded in everyday dining experiences.