Zhicheng Song

Columbia University, Northeast Forestry University

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Zhicheng Song is a robotics researcher whose work bridges soft robotics and human-machine interaction, with a focus on dynamic locomotion and assistive exoskeletons. His most notable contribution is the development of an open-source, untethered quadrupedal soft robot platform, detailed in his 2021 paper (15 citations). This robot achieves dynamic feats like high-speed running and backflipping, despite being 80% soft by volume—a breakthrough enabled by 3D-printed gyroid-infilled structures and four geared servo motors. The platform’s open-source nature has made it a valuable tool for advancing soft robot agility and reproducibility. In parallel, Song has explored human-robot coupling through a 2020 study (7 citations) that models the physical interaction between a soft finger exoskeleton and a human finger. By integrating spring-damping contact dynamics with biomechanical models, his work provides a framework for designing safer, more responsive assistive devices. Together, these contributions highlight Song’s dual impact: pushing the boundaries of soft robot locomotion while laying groundwork for intuitive exoskeleton control. His research is particularly relevant for students and engineers interested in bio-inspired design, compliant mechanisms, and the future of wearable robotics.