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About

Shih-Fu Ling is a pioneering researcher in bioinspired robotics and smart actuation systems, with a focus on tactile sensing and multi-degree-of-freedom motors. His most influential work, the bioinspired active whisker sensor (2014, 29 citations), draws inspiration from the rat’s vibrissal system, introducing a whisker transducer capable of simultaneous actuation and sensing through a transduction matrix model—a key contribution to robotic tactile perception. Ling also made significant advances in ultrasonic spherical motors, designing a novel two-degree-of-freedom piezoelectric spherical motor (2001, 15 citations) and a compact single-moving-part variant for micro-satellite and space robot actuation (2002). His innovative approach to integrating sensing and actuation is further demonstrated in a 2013 study on path condition monitoring for power wheelchairs, where he reduced system complexity by leveraging existing motor signals. With a career spanning foundational work in smart materials and bioinspired mechanisms, Ling’s research has shaped the development of more efficient, multifunctional robotic systems, earning recognition for its practical impact in both terrestrial and space applications.