Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Steven Zhang is pioneering the next generation of soft and bio-inspired robotics, with a focus on creating machines that move with the agility and efficiency of living organisms. His major contributions lie at the intersection of soft actuation and locomotion, where he has developed groundbreaking technologies like the electrohydraulic musculoskeletal robotic leg. This work, already cited 57 times since 2024, demonstrates a paradigm shift from rigid, sensor-heavy robots to inherently compliant, energy-efficient systems capable of navigating unstructured terrain. Zhang further advanced the field with his invention of a self-powered soft triboelectric-electrohydrodynamic pump (27 citations in 2025), a critical innovation that addresses the longstanding power-supply bottleneck for untethered soft robots and wearable devices. His foundational research on charge retention in HASEL actuators, while less cited, provides essential understanding for improving the long-term reliability of these promising soft robotic muscles. By tackling both fundamental material challenges and system-level integration, Zhang is not just building better robots; he is redefining the architectural principles for machines that can safely and effectively interact with the natural world.