Julika Habekost

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About

Julika Habekost’s research lies at the compelling intersection of human-robot interaction, design theory, and the philosophy of technology, with a particular focus on how social robots can foster meaningful, resonant connections with people. Her most-cited work, “Resonance as a Design Strategy for AI and Social Robots” (2022, 25 citations), offers a groundbreaking framework that bridges the physical mechanics of resonance with its human experiential counterpart. In this paper, Habekost systematically investigates how the phenomenon of resonance—so powerful and pervasive in human interactions—can be intentionally designed into robotic systems to enhance users’ sense of connection and rapport. By proposing resonance as a deliberate design strategy, she challenges conventional, task-oriented approaches to social robotics and opens new pathways for creating AI that feels genuinely attuned to human emotional and relational rhythms. This work has quickly become a touchstone for researchers exploring affective and relational dimensions of human-robot interaction. Habekost’s contributions are notable for their interdisciplinary rigor, drawing from engineering, psychology, and phenomenological philosophy to reimagine what it means for a machine to “resonate” with a person. Her research continues to shape how designers and engineers think about building robots that are not just functional, but truly companionable.