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About

Shuqiao Zhong is an emerging robotics researcher specializing in soft robotics, tactile sensing, and underwater manipulation — fields at the intersection of machine learning, materials science, and autonomous systems. Their most significant contribution lies in developing vision-based tactile intelligence that enables robots to reliably grasp objects in challenging aquatic environments, bridging the gap between terrestrial and underwater robotic operation. Zhong's pioneering work on autoencoding soft touch demonstrates how robots can transfer grasping knowledge learned on land to fully submerged, high-pressure conditions where traditional sensing fails — a breakthrough with profound implications for ocean exploration. Complementing this, their research on proprioceptive state estimation introduces a novel metamaterial-based soft robotic finger capable of reconstructing tactile interactions omnidirectionally across both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Zhong has further advanced the field by developing in-finger vision systems that reconstruct shape and touch simultaneously, enriching virtual environment simulations with authentic tactile data. With approximately 27 cumulative citations across publications from 2023–2024, Zhong's work is gaining rapid recognition, positioning them as a promising contributor to the next generation of intelligent, environmentally adaptive robotic systems.