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Mingfeng WangView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Continuum Robotics
• Legged Robotics
• Soft Robotics
• +5 more

Dr. Mingfeng Wang is a Senior Lecturer in Robotics and Autonomous Systems at Brunel University London, affiliated with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering within the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. His research focuses on specialized robotic systems including continuum, legged, soft, precision farming, and miniaturized robots. Chartered Engineer (CEng) with Engineering Council UK Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) Member of IEEE, IEEE-RAS, IMechE, and IFToMM Editorial roles: Associate Editor of International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems (JCR-Q3); Associate Editor of Frontiers in Robotics and AI (JCR-Q2); Editor of Information Processing in Agriculture (JCR-Q1), Biomimetic Intelligence and Robotics (JCR-Q1), and STEM Education Research expertise includes: Continuum Robotics : Design of extra-slender continuum robots (diameter-to-length ratio Legged Robotics : Parallel mechanism-based biped and hexapod robots for extreme environments Miniaturized Robotics : Active locomotion and drug delivery in capsule endoscopes Soft Robotics : Compliant end-effectors and bio-inspired designs Precision Farming : Laser weeding systems and agricultural automation Key scientific awards: BRIEF award (2022) TAROS Best Paper Post Nomination (2022) IFToMM Asian-MMS Best Paper Award (2014) Recent publications focus on: Cochlear implant surgery robotics Passive compliance in train fluid servicing Snake-biomimetic sealing surfaces Parallel kinematic manipulators Capsule endoscope image enhancement Professional services include conference organization (TAROS 2023/2024 Steering Committee; TAROS 2024 Programme Chair) and journal refereeing for IEEE-ASME Transactions on Mechatronics and Scientific Reports.

• Robotics
• Control Systems
• Human-Robot Interaction
• +3 more

Cristian Secchi is a Full Professor in the Department of Engineering Sciences and Methods at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. His research focuses on robotics, control systems, and human-robot collaboration with an emphasis on safety, automation, and industrial applications. He teaches courses such as Industrial and Collaborative Robotics and Control of Robotic Systems. Research Interests: Design and implementation of control architectures for collaborative robots. Development of safe human-robot interaction frameworks compliant with ISO/TS 15066 standards. Integration of AI (e.g., large language models) into robotic motion planning. Autonomous systems for urban environments and surgical robotics. Publications highlight advancements in: Energy-efficient trajectory planning. Adaptive control strategies for uncertain environments. Multimodal human-robot communication. Diagnosis of mechanical systems via signal analysis. He leads the ARSControl research group and actively contributes to evolving production systems through smart modular technologies. His work bridges theoretical control frameworks with practical industrial and medical applications.

Daniel AukesView profile

Associate Professor

• Robotics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Dynamical Systems Analysis
• +5 more

Daniel Aukes is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University's School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, where he directs the IDEAlab . His research focuses on integrating design, manufacturing, and data-driven analysis to create affordable, accessible robots for niche environments. Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University (2013) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University (2009) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University (2004) IDEAlab projects emphasize innovative fabrication techniques and materials paired with analytical methods to model complex robotic systems. His work spans soft robotics, foldable structures, and tunable compliance, with applications in underwater and terrestrial autonomous vehicles. Recent publications highlight trends in soft robotics , origami-inspired design , compliant mechanisms , and data-driven optimization . Key subfields include tunable stiffness, embedded sensors, and bio-inspired locomotion for quadrupedal and swimming robots. Scientific Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2020) Wyss Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship (2013-2015) He has advised doctoral students such as Roozbeh Khodambashi and Yuhao Jiang , while teaching courses like Embedded Systems Design Project and Foldable Robotics . The IDEAlab develops tools for rapid prototyping of laminate robots and explores manufacturing innovations like VoxelFuse and PopupCAD.

Sisi FanView profile

Researcher

• DNA Nanotechnology
• Synthetic Biology
• Biosensors
• +3 more

Sisi Fan is a Researcher at the 2nd Physics Institute, University of Stuttgart, specializing in DNA nanotechnology and synthetic biology. Her work focuses on engineering DNA-based nanoscale systems for applications in materials science, biomedicine, and molecular computing. Her research interests include DNA origami structures, programmable molecular systems, and their integration into synthetic cells and diagnostic platforms. Notable projects involve reconfigurable DNA networks for membrane engineering and spatiotemporal control of biochemical reactions. Recent publications highlight advancements in DNA-based photonic materials, enzyme-free catalytic circuits, and nanomedicine applications using gold nanostars for targeted therapy. She explores interdisciplinary interfaces between nanotechnology and cell biology, with contributions to cellular nanomechanics and immune response modulation via nanoparticle systems. Dr. Fan collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to advance nanotechnology-driven solutions in diagnostics, therapeutics, and biomaterials. Her lab at the University of Stuttgart emphasizes both fundamental research and translational biomedical applications.

Gaurav AryaView profile

Professor

• Viral DNA Packaging
• Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites
• Virus Assembly
• +7 more

Gaurav Arya is a Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Duke University, with additional appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering. His research laboratory employs physics-based computational tools to investigate biological and soft-material systems at the molecular scale. Ph.D. from University of Notre Dame (2003) B.Tech. from Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (1998) Research focuses on: Molecular modeling and simulations Statistical mechanics DNA nanotechnology Viral DNA packaging Chromatin biophysics Polymer-nanoparticle composites Recent research trends emphasize AI-driven materials discovery and programmable DNA nanostructures. Key grants include: NSF DMREF: Architecting DNA nanodevices (2023-2027) DOE Mesoscale Self-Assembly (2020-2027) UC San Diego Ligand-Nanocrystal Interlayer Studies (2024-2027) Scientific contributions: Featured in 2025 Nature Communications on DNA superstructures 2022 Science Advances on DNA nanodevice reconfiguration 2021 PNAS on viral DNA packaging motors

Carmel MajidiView profile

Professor

• Soft Robotics
• Wearable Robotics
• Soft Electronics
• +12 more

Carmel Majidi is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering. He leads the Soft Machines Lab, where his research focuses on soft robotics, wearable computing, and advanced materials that mimic biological systems. His work enables robots and machines to safely interact with humans through soft, deformable technologies. Education: Ph.D. in EECS, University of California, Berkeley (2007) B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University (2001) His research interests span soft robotics, stretchable electronics, liquid metal materials, and bio-inspired engineering. He develops soft electromechanical materials for applications in haptics, medical devices, and human-machine interfaces. His group pioneers fabrication methods for soft composites and microfluidic systems that function as artificial skin, nervous tissue, and muscle. The recent trend in his publications highlights a strong focus on soft actuators, self-healing materials, liquid metal composites, and haptic interfaces for virtual and augmented reality. His work integrates materials science, robotics, and advanced manufacturing to enable scalable, robust, and practical soft systems. Scientific Awards: 2023 Inno Fire Award for Trailblazing Innovators, Pittsburgh Business Times Majidi leads a major research thrust in a new NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) dedicated to improving robot dexterity, funded up to $52 million. He has been instrumental in developing soft robotic systems inspired by prehistoric organisms, such as the pleurocystitid, and in creating healthcare devices powered by body heat using liquid metal technologies. His research has been featured in Popular Science , Communications of the ACM , and Ars Technica . He is actively involved in advancing scalable manufacturing of soft electronics and enabling robust integration between soft materials and conventional microelectronics. His lab collaborates across disciplines to push the boundaries of physical AI and wearable robotics.

Ole MadsenView profile

Professor

• Robotics
• Automation
• Industry 4.0
• +6 more

Ole Madsen is a Professor at the Department of Materials and Production within The Faculty of Engineering and Science at Aalborg University . His research focuses on Robotics and Automation , particularly in 5G Smart Production , AI for Manufacturing , and Industry 4.0 applications. He also holds a part-time position at Adding Robotics , applying his expertise in robot integration for industrial and healthcare settings. Research Interests : Robotics, Automation, AI, Sensor Systems, Modular Manufacturing, Welding Technology, Digital Twins, Human-Centered Robotics, Industry 4.0 His work spans 35+ years with over 205 publications , emphasizing smart production systems and robot-assisted processes . Key contributions include Swarm Production Architectures , 5G-Enabled Robotics , and Human-Robot Collaboration frameworks. He has supervised 10 PhD students and led major projects like RAU (Robot-Assisted Ultrasound) and GINP: Robotics & AI Innovation Network . Scientific Awards : SCAP2020 Best Presentation Award (2020) Ole's 31 projects include AP2030: Aseptic Factory 2030 (pharma production), AddSmart (robotics R&D), and 5G-Enabled Autonomous Systems . His 127 press/media mentions highlight advancements in robotic welding , industrial metaverse , and swarm production . He maintains an ORCID: 0000-0003-2133-2541 with extensive publication records across Swarm Robotics , Modular Manufacturing , and AI-Driven Production .

Roderich GroßView profile

Professor

• swarm robotics
• multi-robot-systems
• modular and reconfigurable robotics
• +1 more

Professor Roderich Groß is a faculty member at Technical University of Darmstadt, where he serves as Head of the RCPS Lab (Robotics, Control, and Physical Systems Laboratory). His extensive research career spans over two decades with publications dating back to 2006, establishing him as a leading figure in swarm robotics. His work appears in top-tier robotics journals including IEEE Transactions on Robotics, Nature Communications, and The International Journal of Robotics Research. Professor Groß's research focuses on swarm robotics, multi-robot systems, modular and reconfigurable robotics, and human-robot interaction. His work explores how groups of relatively simple robots can collectively perform complex tasks through decentralized control mechanisms. He investigates modular systems that can adapt their physical structure to different tasks and develops human-robot interaction paradigms that enable effective collaboration between humans and robot swarms. His research has practical applications in search and rescue, environmental monitoring, construction, and industrial automation. Analysis of Professor Groß's recent publications reveals a clear evolution from foundational swarm behaviors toward increasingly sophisticated applications. His work addresses critical challenges including energy management in robot swarms (CapBot), multi-operator control interfaces, heterogeneous systems for industrial applications, and bio-inspired collective behaviors. His research bridges theoretical swarm intelligence principles with practical implementation on physical robot platforms like Kilobots, with recent work integrating artificial intelligence techniques such as language models for swarm control. As Head of the RCPS Lab, Professor Groß leads a productive research group with extensive international collaborations. The lab works with various robot platforms focusing on both theoretical modeling and practical implementation of swarm behaviors, contributing significantly to advancing the field of swarm robotics from theoretical foundations to real-world applications.

• Robotics
• Precision Agriculture
• Cyber-Physical Systems
• +5 more

Upinder Kaur is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University , part of the College of Engineering. Her research focuses on robotics, precision agriculture, and cyber-physical systems, with a strong emphasis on integrating data science and digital technologies into agricultural practices. Her work spans areas such as agricultural robotics , cybersecurity for robotic systems , and animal health monitoring . Notable projects include developing multimodal datasets for animal-robot interaction and creating self-powered in-vivo sensing systems for precision dairy farming. She also explores cybersecurity solutions to protect robotic networks against emerging threats. Her articles highlight a trend toward cross-disciplinary innovation , blending robotics with agriculture, healthcare, and cybersecurity. Recent work demonstrates advancements in soft robotics design, zero-day malware detection frameworks, and traceability systems for commodity supply chains. No scientific awards are listed, though her contributions to precision agriculture and robotic cybersecurity are significant. Advising and grants details are currently unavailable, but her research aligns with Purdue's focus on sustainable and technology-driven solutions for modern agricultural challenges.

Mark YimView profile

Professor

• Modular Robotics
• Micro Air Vehicles
• Bio-inspired Locomotion
• +2 more

Mark Yim is the Asa Whitney Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UPenn, specializing in modular robotics and bio-inspired systems. As Director of GRASP Lab and Faculty Director for Design Studio, he leads research on reconfigurable robots, micro air vehicles, and human-robot interaction through the Modular Robotics Laboratory (ModLab). Key projects include IceBot (robots made from ice), Variable Topology Truss reconfigurable systems, and Quori social robotics platform. Research combines mechanical design, distributed control, and human-centered applications. Recent publications focus on soft robotics control, structural design automation, and aerial manipulation systems.

Lukas EsterleView profile

Associate Professor

• Autonomous Systems
• Multi-Agent Systems
• Computational Self-awareness
• +3 more

Lukas Esterle is Associate Professor at Aarhus University's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research focuses on enabling collaboration among autonomous systems through computational self-awareness, collective learning, and autonomous decision-making. His work draws inspiration from natural systems, psychology, and anthropology to develop resilient distributed systems. Key research areas include: autonomous multi-agent coordination, digital twin architectures, computational trust models, and distributed learning frameworks for robotic systems. His investigations target applications in smart cities, industrial automation, and edge computing environments. Professor Esterle teaches courses in Software Engineering, Computer Games Technologies, and Autonomous Agents & Multi-Agent Systems. He coordinates multiple European research projects including DIAMOND (Developing Personalized Capabilities), FLOCKD (Federated Learning for Collaborative Knowledge), and MARVEL (Multimodal Data Analytics for Smart Cities).

Petras SwisslerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Robotics
• Modular Robotics
• Robotic Self-Assembly
• +3 more

Petras Swissler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). He holds a B.S. from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (2012) and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University (2022). His research focuses on modular and self-reconfigurable robotics, with emphasis on robotic self-assembly, adaptive systems, and mechatronics design. Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University (2022) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University (2018) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (2012) Research interests include developing robots capable of autonomous assembly and reconfiguration, particularly in non-lattice and amorphous structures. His work bridges mechanical design with adaptive algorithms, aiming to create scalable and environment-responsive robotic systems. Key projects like FireAntV3 and SyncGenie demonstrate innovations in docking mechanisms and cross-disciplinary applications. Publications highlight contributions to modular robotics, environment-adaptive systems, and hardware-software integration. His work has implications for swarm robotics, disaster response systems, and biomedical tools. Prior to academia, Swissler worked as a Mechanical Engineer at Parametric Solutions Inc. (2012–2016). He maintains an active research group focusing on next-generation robotic systems.

Kasper StøyView profile

Professor

• Robotics
• Modular Robotics
• Bio-Inspired Robotics
• +2 more

Kasper Støy is a Professor in Robotics and Embodied Artificial Intelligence at the IT University of Copenhagen, specializing in distributed control of multi-robot systems and modular robotics. He has published over 95 works and authored the MIT Press book Self-Reconfigurable Robots: An Introduction . As co-founder of Universal Robots, he bridges academic research with industrial applications. M.Sc. in Computer Science & Physics, University of Aarhus (1999) Ph.D. in Computer Systems Engineering, University of Southern Denmark (2003) His research focuses on: Modular Robotics Bio-Inspired Robotics Human-Robot Interaction Embodied Artificial Intelligence Self-Reconfigurable Systems Recent publications address anxiety-reducing pocket robots, tactile comfort systems, and origami-inspired mechanical designs. He has won awards including the 2017 GECCO Virtual Creatures Competition. 2017: GECCO Virtual Creatures Competition Active in academic service, he chaired recruitment committees for Statistics and Machine Learning positions. Collaborations span European Commission projects like MUHMI-MOZART and BIG-MAP.

James BernView profile

Professor

• Soft and Rigid Robotics
• Computational Design
• Numerical Simulation
• +3 more

James Bern is a Professor in the Computer Science Department at Williams College , currently on leave. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from ETH Zurich (2020), an MS in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University (2017), and a BS in Mechanical Engineering with minors in Computer Science and Control & Dynamical Systems from Caltech (2015). His research spans soft and rigid robotics , computational design , and numerical simulation , with a focus on enabling artists, designers, and the public to utilize advanced robotics tools. Key questions include modeling unpredictable physical phenomena, optimizing design/control spaces, and democratizing robotic design. Recent publications highlight his work on soft drone grasping , virtual reality inverse kinematics , cable-driven stiffness modulation , and soft robot simulation . His collaborations include the Computational Robotics Lab at ETH Zurich and the Distributed Robotics Lab at MIT CSAIL.

• Computational fabrication
• Robotics
• In-space manufacturing
• +5 more

Martin Nisser is an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics . He leads the Programmable Matter Lab , focusing on computational fabrication and assembly platforms for in-space and end-user applications. His educational background includes a PhD in Computer Science (2024) and an MS in Computer Science (2019) from MIT, an MSc in Robotics, Systems & Control from ETH Zurich (2015), and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering with Renewable Energy from the University of Edinburgh (2013). Research Interests Computational fabrication Self-assembly systems In-space manufacturing Programmable materials Modular robotics Scientific Awards Seth J. Teller Award (2023) Collier Medal (2023) Sweden-America Fellowship (2021) Thomas G. Stockham & Bernard Gold Fellowship (2022) IMechE Best Student Award (2013) Outreach & Teaching Co-founder of Brave Behind Bars prison education program Teaching Assistant at MIT SuperUROP and Engineering Interactive Technologies Mentored over 20 students in robotics and fabrication projects