Zhiheng Chen

University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Zhiheng Chen is a robotics researcher whose work bridges aerial and terrestrial locomotion, with a focus on enabling hybrid robotic systems to operate effectively in challenging environments. His key research areas include robotic locomotion control, sensor fusion for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and energy-based control design. Chen’s most notable contribution is the development of PogoX, a novel robotic platform that combines an aerial vehicle with a spring-loaded leg, allowing it to carry heavy loads on the ground when flight is no longer feasible. His 2024 paper on this work, which has already garnered 13 citations, introduces a step-to-step dynamics-based controller that shapes energy for stable terrestrial locomotion—a significant step toward versatile, load-bearing robots. Earlier, Chen advanced UAV localization in GPS-denied indoor spaces through heterogeneous sensor fusion, using kernel adaptive filtering to integrate monocular SLAM data, as detailed in his 2017 work (5 citations). This work addresses critical challenges in micro-UAV autonomy. Chen’s research is impactful for its practical approach to real-world robotic limitations, offering innovative solutions that expand the operational scope of aerial vehicles.