Papers
4
Total Citations
35
H-Index
3
About
Tianyu Cheng is a robotics researcher focused on soft robotics, human-safe actuation, and bio-inspired manipulation. His work addresses a fundamental challenge in robotics: enabling machines to handle uncertainty and fragile objects without relying on rigid, pre-programmed motions. Cheng’s most cited paper (2023, 19 citations) introduces a passively conforming soft robotic gripper with three-dimensional negative bending stiffness fingers, which adapts to objects without requiring large empty workspaces—a significant advance over traditional soft grippers. He also contributed to the development of Synthetic Muscle™ electroactive polymers (EAPs), which contract, expand, and sense pressure at low voltages, offering a path toward integrated sensing and actuation in robotic grippers. Earlier, Cheng designed a 3-DOF humanoid soft arm using modularized series elastic actuators (2015, 6 citations), improving compliance for safe human-robot interaction. His research bridges materials science and mechanical design, with applications in assistive robotics, manufacturing, and prosthetics. With a growing citation record and a focus on practical, compliant systems, Cheng is establishing himself as a key contributor to the next generation of adaptive, human-safe robotic hardware.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4