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About

Junghan Kwon is a leading researcher at the intersection of soft robotics and wearable assistive technology, with a focus on creating adaptive, human-centered robotic systems. Their major contributions span three key areas: soft robotic rehabilitation, adaptive wearable structures, and bio-inspired collective robotics. Kwon’s 2019 work on a soft wearable ankle-foot orthosis for post-stroke patients (158 citations) demonstrated how inexpensive, lightweight, and easy-to-wear devices can provide effective gait assistance both in clinical settings and daily life. Their comprehensive 2021 review of machine learning methods in soft robotics (249 citations) has become a foundational resource, addressing critical challenges in modeling, calibration, and control of soft materials. More recently, Kwon has pioneered selectively stiffening garments using cellular composites and explored collective behaviors in soft robot worms inspired by living worm blobs—work that pushes the boundaries of how soft robots can operate both individually and as aggregates. Their innovative thruster-based wearable robot for aquatic knee exercise further expands rehabilitation possibilities. Kwon’s work is distinguished by its practical focus on translating soft robotics into real-world assistive devices that are accessible, affordable, and effective.