About Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems

Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems is one of the main research institutes of the iAFE. The institute is driven by a shared goal: to cultivate outstanding researchers for China, through constructing a world-class research center for robotic and intelligent systems science and engineering.

At this new historical juncture, under the leadership of Professor Mei Xuesong, the institute adheres to the philosophy of "pursuing first-class academic research and creating top-notch technologies." It deeply implements Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focusing on the fundamental task of cultivating virtue and talent, and upholding the "Five Orientations" in scientific research.The research institute strives to cultivate more professional talents for the country.

Research Directions

Direction 1: Laser precision manufacturing and intelligent robots

Focusing on the significant national needs such as aerospace, national defense and military industry, the laser processing mechanism and methods of various types of difficult-to-process materials, advanced composite materials, high-temperature alloy materials, etc., are researched, and core key technologies such as beam space-time shaping, real-time control of optical parameters, Opto-mechatronic collaborative control, and precision three-dimensional online detection are explored. The advanced laser drilling, cutting, three-dimensional micro-nano processing technology and equipment with the international advanced level are developed. The study team undertakes dozens of National Key Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, military preresearch and other national major projects, to provide technical support for national major projects in key areas of national defense and military industry.

Research:

• Laser precision intelligent manufacturing technology in Aerospace

• Laser precision intelligent manufacturing technology of high-end microelectronic devices

• Laser and robot composite processing technology

• High-end intelligent optical manufacturing and precision control

• Laser manufacturing technology for energy storage

Direction 2: Intelligent Factory System and Robotics

Intelligent Factory System and Robotics Research Team was established in 2018, formerly known as the CNC Technology and Equipment Research Institute. It is based on the Shaanxi Robotics Innovation Alliance, the Shaanxi Intelligent Robotics Key Laboratory, and the Xi'an Jiaotong University Intelligent Robotics Innovation Institute. Facing the national major requirement for intelligent manufacturing, it conducts research on process perception, manufacturing big data processing, digital twin, error compensation and precision control, and predictive maintenance theory and technology, providing technical support for intelligent production. It also conducts research on the theory and technology of robot perception and cognition, positioning and navigation, mobile operation and Human-machine collaboration in complex environments, as well as the theory and technology of mobile robot drive and control, multi-machine coordinated scheduling and energy management optimization, providing a technical basis for the widespread application of autonomous mobile operating robot.

Direction 3: Research Group on Biomechatronics and Service Robot

The research group has 5 professors, 3 associate professors, and about 30 PhD students, 100 master students. It focuses on the theory, methods, and technologies of Biomechatronics, proposes engineering scientific and technological problems of "brain control technology" and "multi input-multi output brain cognitive model", studies the theory and methods of EEG & EMG and fiber optic multi-source perception, brain control, muscle electrical control, human-computer interaction, and collaborative control, carries out key technology research on service robots such as elderly assistance, disability assistance, mobility assistance, inspection, and rescue, actively seeks the transformation of related robot prototype achievements, and promotes the development and demonstration of their application systems in key industries.

Research directions include: multi-source perception of EEG & EMG, human-computer interaction and medical rehabilitation robots, environmental intelligent perception, machine learning and mobile service robots, autonomous navigation control, multi machine collaboration and intelligent inspection robots, fiber optic precision perception, monitoring and diagnosis, and robot detection technology.

The research features include: studying the precise perception theory and methods of human motion intention, machine vision and intelligent human-machinery interaction through multi information fusion, robot motion path planning and behavior autonomous decision-making, realizing dynamic collaboration of human- machinery motion, conducting key technology research on various service robots and developing prototype machines. The research contents mainly include: machine vision with multi information fusion and intelligent human- machinery interaction; Robot motion path planning and autonomous behavior decision-making; Research and application of human robot interaction theory; Precision perception, deep learning theory and implementation; Research and implementation of perception function integrated neural control prostheses.

Direction 4: Group of Rigid-Flexible-Soft Robot

Rigid- flexible-soft (RFS) robot is new category of coupled robot which is made of both rigid and flexible material.RFS robot favors of high rigidity, great controllability, and flexible deformation with toughness. This research group mainly studies the soft actuation technology and flexible robotic design, which has good environmental integration, human-machine interaction and intelligent perception, and has broad application prospects in the fields of equipment inspection,medical rehabilitation and space exploration.

Research:

• Soft actuation (dielectric elastomer, twisted fiber, ionic polymer,pneumatic actuator etc.)

• Flexible structure design (compliant mechanism, variable stiffness structure, origami/kirigami)

• Robot system (crawling robot, inspection robot, etc.)

Direction 5: Underwater Intelligent Perception and Biomimetic Robots

The team is mainly composed of 2 professors, 3 associate professors, 2 postdoctoral fellows, 4 interdisciplinary collaborating professors, and more than 60 graduate students, covering disciplines such as mechanics, electronics, chemical materials, and mechanics. Facing requirements from the development of marine resources and marine economy development, focusing on theoretical and technological breakthroughs and key equipment research and development in underwater perception and detection, bionic robot navigation, and underwater energy, we conduct in-depth research on theories and technologies such as

• Underwater intelligent perception and recognition based on multi-physics fields  

• New ocean smart materials and structures design

• Underwater bionic propulsion and stealth navigation  

• Underwater unmanned vehicle equipment cluster systems

• Efficient power generation equipment under deep-sea low-speed ocean currents.

It forms an integrated research and development concept and technical system from materials and structures, perception and driving components to unmanned system equipment. Representative achievements include multifunctional marine exploration robots, amphibious robots propelled by wheels and fins, underwater acoustic-optical-electric multi-physical field intelligent detection systems, hydraulic transmission controlled low-speed ocean current power generation equipment, high-sensitivity and flexible ionic/piezoelectric polymers and hydrophones, artificial muscle stealth robotic fish, etc. In recent years, we have undertaken more than 40 national level projects, including key research and development programs of the Ministry of Science and Technology, key projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, more than 20 provincial and ministerial level projects, as well as school enterprise joint horizontal projects, with a total project budget exceeding 80 million yuan. We have published over 200 SCI/EI papers, authorized over 80 invention patents, published 8 monographs/translations, and won more than 10 provincial and ministerial level awards such as the first prize of the Ministry of Education's Natural Science Award and the second prize of Shaanxi Province's Technical Invention Award. The achievements have been applied to leading enterprises such as China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, the Third Academy of Aerospace Science and Industry, and Tianhe Defense Technology Co., Ltd. The team has established a collaborative innovation research institute for ocean technology and equipment, dedicated to "demand driven and technology driven" efforts to promote and apply the team's achievements in the field of ocean engineering and technology transformation.