Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Yeman Fan is a leading researcher in the field of continuum robotics, with a primary focus on variable stiffness mechanisms and control. His work addresses a fundamental challenge in soft robotics: balancing the inherent flexibility of continuum robots with the need for controllable rigidity. Fan’s major contributions include the development of **OctRobot-I**, a novel continuum robot that achieves stiffness variation in both transverse and axial directions using layer jamming—a simple yet highly effective technique. He has also pioneered control strategies for underactuated, tendon-driven robots, enabling simultaneous position and stiffness control. His comprehensive review papers on stiffening approaches and extensible continuum robots (ECRs) have become essential references, with his top-cited works accumulating over 70 citations. Fan’s research is notable for bridging design, modeling, and control, offering practical solutions for applications requiring adaptable stiffness, such as minimally invasive surgery and industrial inspection. His work on workspace calculation methods further demonstrates his commitment to advancing the foundational tools needed for continuum robot deployment.