Weijia Zong

Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Weijia Zong is a leading researcher in bio-inspired robotics, with a focus on unraveling the locomotion secrets of geckos to engineer more agile and adaptable climbing machines. Her work sits at the intersection of biomechanics, neural control, and soft robotics. A key contribution is her 2023 paper, "A Neural Coordination Strategy for Attachment and Detachment of a Climbing Robot," which has garnered 33 citations for pioneering a control framework that mimics the neural pathways geckos use for seamless grip and release—a critical step toward energy-efficient, stable climbing robots. Zong also advanced motion capture methodologies for small animals (2018, 17 citations), developing a multi-camera layout that precisely quantifies locomotor behaviors, directly informing bionic robot design. Her 2021 development of a hydraulic-driven soft gecko toe (12 citations) addresses the flexibility gap in robotic toes, enabling better surface adaptation. By integrating neural coordination, soft materials, and high-fidelity motion analysis, Zong’s work bridges animal biology and robotic engineering, offering a blueprint for next-generation climbers that could revolutionize inspection, rescue, and exploration in complex environments.