Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Jean Won Kwak is a pioneer in the emerging field of submillimeter-scale robotics, where his work is redefining the boundaries of miniaturization and multifunctionality. His research centers on the design and fabrication of tiny, untethered robots and shape-morphing materials, with profound implications for minimally invasive medicine and biological manipulation. Kwak’s most impactful contribution is the development of the first submillimeter-scale multimaterial terrestrial robots, a breakthrough detailed in a 2022 paper that has garnered 136 citations. This work demonstrated that robots smaller than a grain of rice could be built with integrated structures and materials, enabling locomotion and task performance at unprecedented scales. Complementing this, his highly cited study on soft shape-programmable surfaces (92 citations) introduced a novel method using fast electromagnetic actuation of liquid metal networks to create dynamic, reconfigurable 3D shapes. These contributions showcase Kwak’s unique ability to merge materials science, electromagnetics, and mechanical design, establishing him as a leading figure in soft robotics and microsystems engineering whose innovations are paving the way for next-generation surgical tools and smart surfaces.