Xiangyu Gong

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Wuhan Institute of Technology

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About

Xiangyu Gong is a leading researcher in soft robotics and nonlinear control systems, whose work bridges innovative hardware design with advanced theoretical frameworks. His most impactful contribution is the development of pneumatically driven elastomeric rotary actuators, which mimic peristaltic motion to create soft, resilient motors. These actuators, detailed in his highly cited 2016 paper (72 citations), enable a new class of soft locomotion capable of withstanding impact, traversing irregular terrain, and operating underwater—a feat not found in nature. This breakthrough has opened new possibilities for robotics in challenging environments. More recently, Gong has advanced the field of planar underactuated mechanical systems, authoring a comprehensive 2024 survey (7 citations) that reviews control methods for manipulators with a single passive joint. His work systematically addresses the nonlinear control challenges inherent in these systems, providing a critical resource for researchers. By combining experimental ingenuity with rigorous control theory, Gong’s research has significantly shaped both soft robotics and underactuated system control, earning recognition for its practical and theoretical impact.