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About

Ruichen Zhen is a pioneering researcher in soft robotics, specializing in bioinspired hand design, proprioception, and rigid-soft hybrid structures. Their major contributions center on developing modular, dexterous robotic fingers that combine the adaptability of soft materials with the structural integrity of rigid skeletons, enabling human-like grasping and manipulation without relying on bulky tactile sensors. Zhen’s most cited work, “Modular Bioinspired Hand with Multijoint Rigid-Soft Finger Possessing Proprioception” (2022, 23 citations), introduces a breakthrough design that achieves both compliance and force perception, addressing a critical challenge in soft robotics. Subsequent papers, such as “Multipoint Contact Detection for Rigid-Soft Finger Without Tactile Sensor” (2023) and “Evolving Robotic Hand Morphology Through Grasping and Learning” (2024), further advance the field by leveraging domain adaptation and evolutionary algorithms to enhance proprioception and adaptive behavior. With cumulative citations approaching 40, Zhen’s research is shaping the future of dexterous manipulation, offering scalable solutions for prosthetics, industrial automation, and human-robot interaction. Their work stands out for its elegant fusion of mechanics and learning, making soft robots more capable and autonomous.