Papers
62
Total Citations
960
H-Index
17
About
Fengyu Xu is a prominent robotics and structural inspection researcher whose work sits at the intersection of climbing robotics, cable-stayed bridge maintenance, and advanced control systems. His most significant contributions center on developing autonomous robotic solutions for inspecting and repairing stay cables — among the most safety-critical components of modern suspension infrastructure. His 2011 and 2012 papers on cable inspection robots and magnetic flux leakage detection (collectively exceeding 165 citations) established foundational frameworks for replacing human workers in dangerous high-altitude environments, combining novel sensor design with sophisticated signal processing to detect structural defects non-invasively. His 2021 work on climbing robots for cable repair extended this legacy into practical deployment. Beyond bridge infrastructure, Xu has made notable strides in wall-climbing robots using hook-claw adhesion mechanisms, soft robotic actuators with variable stiffness, and pneumatic manipulators for adaptive grasping. Most recently, his 2023 paper on reinforcement learning-driven control of hydraulic manipulators (58 citations in just two years) signals an exciting pivot toward data-driven autonomy. Across a diverse portfolio exceeding 500 total citations, Xu's research consistently bridges mechanical ingenuity with real-world engineering challenges.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2Developing a climbing robot for repairing cables of cable-stayed bridges82 citations · 2021
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- 4Data-Driven Control of Hydraulic Manipulators by Reinforcement Learning58 citations · 2023
- 5Design and Realization of the Claw Gripper System of a Climbing Robot50 citations · 2017
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- 9HELIX CABLE-DETECTING ROBOT FOR CABLE-STAYED BRIDGE: DESIGN AND ANALYSIS28 citations · 2014
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