Zan Mi

University of Iowa, Caterpillar (United States)

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Zan Mi’s research career has been defined by a deep and sustained focus on the kinematics and trajectory planning of robotic manipulators, with a particular emphasis on redundant systems. Her work bridges theoretical modeling and practical industrial application, addressing fundamental challenges in how robots move. A central contribution is her exploration of the relationship between posture prediction and inverse kinematics, a topic she tackled in her most-cited paper (2001, 16 citations), which clarified the conceptual and computational distinctions between these approaches, especially for human limb models. Mi further advanced the field by developing methodologies for planning kinematically smooth path trajectories (2002, 5 citations), ensuring seamless motion without halting—a critical requirement for efficient automation. Her 2010 work on determining initial configurations for uninterrupted trajectories in manufacturing environments (5 citations) directly addressed real-world production needs, demonstrating her commitment to translating theory into practice. Though her citation counts reflect a focused, specialized audience, Mi’s contributions have provided foundational insights for researchers and engineers working on smooth, continuous robot motion, solidifying her reputation as a thoughtful contributor to the kinematics community.