Runze Xu

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About

Runze Xu is a pioneering researcher in bio-inspired sensing systems and intelligent robotics, with a particular focus on developing self-powered, biomimetic hardware for environmental perception. Their most notable contribution is the creation of a self-powered artificial vibrissal system that replicates the anemotaxis behavior of rats—the ability to sense and navigate using wind direction. This work, published in 2025 and already garnering 16 citations, addresses a critical gap in search-and-rescue robotics by providing a hardware platform that can efficiently detect, encode, and recognize wind signals without external power sources. By mimicking the biological whisker system, Xu’s innovation enables robots to perform perilous operations in low-visibility or hazardous environments, such as collapsed buildings or disaster zones. This achievement not only advances the field of soft robotics and energy harvesting but also demonstrates a practical pathway toward autonomous, energy-efficient sensing systems. Xu’s research bridges neuroscience, materials science, and engineering, offering transformative solutions for real-world challenges in exploration and emergency response.