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About

Kaixin Liu is a robotics researcher specializing in amphibious robot design, bionic locomotion, and underwater vehicle development. His work centers on creating versatile robotic systems capable of navigating complex, multi-environment terrains — from sandy beaches and grasslands to shallow seabeds — drawing inspiration from natural organisms such as crabs and other aquatic creatures. Liu's most notable contribution is the development of SHOALBOT, a multimode amphibious robot utilizing a unified propeller-leg mechanism, which has garnered 48 citations and established him as a leading voice in amphibious robotics. His broader portfolio includes bionic crab-inspired robots capable of both walking and swimming, near-seabed observation vehicles designed to minimize sediment disturbance, and foundational work extending Granular Resistive Force Theory to saturated wet sand — addressing a critical gap in understanding how robotic legs interact with mixed granular-aquatic environments. With over 130 cumulative citations across eight significant publications, Liu has made meaningful contributions to both theoretical modeling and practical implementation of amphibious systems. His research bridges biology, hydrodynamics, and mechanical engineering, offering compelling solutions for ecological monitoring, underwater exploration, and field robotics in challenging unstructured environments.