Xiaofan Li

About

Xiaofan Li is a robotics researcher whose work centers on mobile robot locomotion, terrain adaptability, and assistive robotics technologies. Li has made significant contributions to the design and analysis of wheelchair robots equipped with Variable Geometry Single Tracked Mechanisms (VGSTM), developing systems capable of dynamically adapting their shape and track tension to navigate complex environments, including stair-climbing scenarios. This innovative approach to active track control represents a meaningful advance over traditional fixed-tension systems, enabling improved obstacle-clearing capability and greater stability for users navigating unstructured terrain. Li's research addresses critical stability challenges in mobile robotics, with several papers rigorously examining tip-over prevention and slippage criteria during stair-climbing operations — work that has collectively accumulated over 70 citations. Beyond wheelchair robotics, Li contributed earlier foundational work on compound mobile robots combining wheel, leg, and track mechanisms, most notably the "Jaguar" robot designed for explosive ordnance disposal in hazardous environments, demonstrating a broader commitment to robotic adaptability across high-stakes applications. Li's body of work bridges theoretical mechanical analysis with practical engineering design, offering real-world solutions for assistive technology and specialized robotics. This research holds particular relevance for students and engineers working at the intersection of rehabilitation engineering, robot kinematics, and autonomous mobility systems.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Configuration and tip-over stability analysis for stair-climbing of a new-style wheelchair robot

   28 citations · 2010
2. 2
   A tip-over and slippage stability criterion for stair-climbing of a wheelchair robot with Variable Geometry Single Tracked Mechanism

   17 citations · 2012
3. 3
   Track tension optimization for stair-climbing of a wheelchair robot with Variable Geometry Single Tracked Mechanism

   11 citations · 2011
4. 4
   A Novel Wheel-Leg-Track Complex Mobile Mechanism and Its Stability Analysis

   11 citations · 2006
5. 5
   Dynamic analysis for stair-climbing of a new-style wheelchair robot

   9 citations · 2010
6. 6
   The research of tension optimal estimation and stair-climbing ability of transformationwheelchair robot

   7 citations · 2010
7. 7
   Motion control of a wheel-leg-track compound mobile robot

   3 citations · 2008

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links