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About

Yunyun Ni is a leading researcher in the design of cyber-physical systems (CPS) and model-driven engineering for robotics. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between hardware and software development, particularly through the use of co-simulation and collaborative modelling. Ni’s major contribution is the development of integrated methodologies that allow engineers to simulate the continuous-time dynamics of a physical plant alongside the discrete-event logic of its controller—a critical step for designing reliable, hard real-time embedded control software for robots and mechatronic products. Her most cited paper, "On Model-driven Design of Robot Software using Co-simulation" (2010, 30 citations), demonstrates how co-simulation improves design efficiency. This work was extended in her pilot study on the DESTECS framework (2012, 20 citations), which provides a formal, collaborative approach for co-modelling. Ni’s research has been foundational in advancing the design of complex, interdependent systems, ensuring that the machine’s physical dynamics are considered from the earliest stages of software development. Her work remains essential reading for researchers tackling the challenges of modern CPS design.