CV

Please feel free to find my CV here

Academic Highlights

• Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honor from a top university (top 10 in QS World University Rankings); currently pursuing graduate studies with a GPA of 4.00/4.00 at a top university (top 30 in U.S. News National University Rankings).
• Authored/co-authored 1 paper submitted to RA-L and 3 other papers published/submitted to top journals/conferences.
• Over 2 years of research experience in mobile robotics and soft robotics at leading universities.
• Awarded prizes in international mathematics and robotics competitions, including being an international winner among over 50 teams.
• Proficient in various engineering software (see Skills).

Education

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

M.S. Mechanical Engineering – Research
August 2023 – May 2025

• GPA: 4.00/4.00
• Relevant Courses: Optimal Control and Reinforcement Learning, Introduction to Robot Learning, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Engineers, Modern Control Theory.

University College London, London, United Kingdom

BEng Mechanical Engineering
September 2020 – June 2023

• GPA: 3.96/4.00, Top 5%, First Class Honor.
• Relevant Courses: Control and Instrumentation, Control and Dynamics, Introduction to Robotics, Machine Learning for Robotics, Robotics in Medicine and Industry.

Research Interests

• Mobile Robotics: Path planning, trajectory optimization, and perception.
• Soft Robotics: Design and modeling of soft robots.

Publications

• Z. Xu, H. Jin, X. Han, H. Shen, and K. Shimada. Intent Prediction-Driven Model Predictive Control for UAV Planning and Navigation in Dynamic Environments. Submitted to IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters 2024. [pdf][video]
• Z. Xu, X. Han, H. Shen, H. Jin, and K. Shimada. NavRL: Learning Safe Flight in Dynamic Environments. Submitted to IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters 2024. [pdf]
• J. Shi, W. Gaozhang, H. Jin, G. Shi, and H. A. Wurdemann. Characterization and Control Platform for Pneumatically Driven Soft Robots: Design and Applications. IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics 2023. [pdf]
• J. Shi, H. Jin, S. Abad, G. Shi, W. Gaozhang, and H. A. Wurdemann. Soft Robots with Densely Reinforced Chambers: A Design, Modeling, and Evaluation Framework.

Research Experience

Computational Engineering and Robotics Lab, Carnegie Mellon University, USA

M.S. Student
September 2023 – September 2024

• Developed a Model Predictive Control (MPC)-based framework for UAV trajectory planning and obstacle avoidance in dynamic environments.
• Designed and deployed a quadcopter for dynamic obstacle avoidance.
• Submitted a paper to RA-L (see Publications).

Huang Jian’s Lab, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

Research Assistant
June 2023 – August 2023

• Created a closed-loop control system for a pneumatic flexible robotic limb.
• Implemented human hand motion classification for robotic limb gesture control.

Soft Haptics and Robotics Lab, University College London, United Kingdom

Research Assistant
March 2022 – December 2022

• Developed a MATLAB App for soft continuum robots modeling based on analytical kinematic models.
• Built a platform for actuation and characterization of soft robots.
• Published a paper at IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics 2023 (see Publications).

Neurorehabilitation and Robotics Laboratory, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China

Research Assistant
June 2022 – August 2022

• Designed fiber-reinforced actuators in SolidWorks for a wearable soft robotic glove.
• Modeled the actuators in Ansys and conducted Finite Element Analysis for force and kinematics.

Honors & Awards

• RCC Qianjiang International Robotics Open (2019): International winner among 50 teams globally.
• FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) (2018): Second Place, Dean’s List Finalist among 50 teams globally.
• Euclid Mathematics Contests (2018): Global Top 25% among 20,000 students.
• Hypatia Mathematics Contests (2018): Global Top 25% among 20,000 students.

Skills

• Languages: Mandarin (native), English (fluent), French (basic).
• Programming Languages: C/C++, Python, Julia.
• Development Tools: ROS, CMake, Git, Arduino, MATLAB & Simulink.
• CAD Modeling: SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion 360.
• Finite Element Method: Abaqus, Ansys.
• Basic Applications: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe (Premiere, Audition).