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Shaowu Tang is a leading researcher in soft robotics, with a focus on continuum manipulators, bio-inspired actuation, and proprioceptive sensing. Their work addresses fundamental challenges in soft robot performance, including precision, payload, and control. Tang’s early research established a computational framework for analyzing the effects of link deflections and joint compliance on robot positioning (21 citations), laying groundwork for later advances. More recently, they have pioneered the integration of motion and sensing in soft actuators, exemplified by a 3D-printed multi-cavity actuator with interweaving foldable endomysium (10 citations, 2024), and developed a differential optical waveguide design for enhanced soft robotic proprioception (8 citations, 2024). Tang has also made significant contributions to hydraulic and pneumatic control, introducing continuous flow regulation for high-performance soft robotic systems (7 citations, 2024) and a single pump-valve actuation method (5 citations, 2025). Their work on a strong underwater soft manipulator with planarly-bundled actuators (9 citations, 2023) and a multi-facet-effector robot in polyhedral configuration (2 citations, 2025) demonstrates a commitment to expanding soft robots’ functional capabilities. With over 70 citations across their most-cited papers, Tang’s research is shaping the future of dexterous, adaptive, and sensor-rich soft robots for real-world applications.