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About

Zhefeng Gong is a leading researcher in bioinspired soft robotics, whose work bridges the mechanics of soft-bodied animals and the design of versatile, high-performance robots. Drawing inspiration from *Drosophila* larvae, Gong has pioneered multimodal soft crawling robots capable of complex locomotion—rolling, peristalsis, and bending—without external torque, as demonstrated in their 2025 study on mechanics-driven rolling. Their contributions include the development of lightweight, high-precision soft parallel robots for industrial and biomedical applications, and reconfigurable transparent variable-stiffness robots for underwater operations, enabling agile deformation and environmental adaptability. With over 55 citations across key publications (2021–2025), Gong’s research has significantly advanced the understanding of muscular regulation in self-righting behavior and motion control strategies for soft-bodied animals. Notable achievements include the first demonstration of a Drosophila-inspired robot that achieves multimodal locomotion through integrated pneumatic actuators and variable-stiffness materials. Gong’s work not only deepens fundamental knowledge of soft-body biomechanics but also provides actionable design principles for next-generation soft robots in exploration, surgery, and hazardous environments.