Research & Publications
Research & Publications
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My work stems from the study of embodied (or physical) intelligence. I am passionate about developing bio-inspired robots that interact with and exploit the fluids to exhibit intelligent behaviors as well as be robust and efficient in their environment. This is accomplished through developing novel robotic platforms and leveraging methods like large-scale experimentation, data-driven design, and fluids analysis.Â
I mainly work on:
Online design & optimization of robots
Soft robotic fabrication
Adaptive performance in the fluid environment
Here is a list of past and ongoing projects during my PhD (2021 to 2024) and links to videos in PDF: Projects List
Study of scales in swimming soft robots
Study of scales in swimming soft robots
In preparation
Discovery of dynamic flapping behaviors of flags
Discovery of dynamic flapping behaviors of flags
In preparation
"Camera-tracked Soft Underwater Robot Enabling Robust Orientation Control for Maneuverability"
"Camera-tracked Soft Underwater Robot Enabling Robust Orientation Control for Maneuverability"
Submitted to ICRA 2025
Bio-inspired regeneration for robots
Bio-inspired regeneration for robots
In preparation
"Improving the Fluency of Robot-Human Interaction through Embodied Expression of Emotion via Foundation Models"
"Improving the Fluency of Robot-Human Interaction through Embodied Expression of Emotion via Foundation Models"
Human Friendly Robotics 2024
Published in Science Robotics (2025)
Published in Soft Robotics
"Embodied Intelligence Paradigm for Human-Robot Communication"
"Embodied Intelligence Paradigm for Human-Robot Communication"
In preparation
"Proprioceptive sensing of soft tentacles with model based reconstruction for controller optimization"
"Proprioceptive sensing of soft tentacles with model based reconstruction for controller optimization"
RoboSoft 2023
Robotic automation and unsupervised cluster assisted modeling for solving the forward and reverse design problem of paper airplanes
Robotic automation and unsupervised cluster assisted modeling for solving the forward and reverse design problem of paper airplanes
Nana Obayashi, Kai Junge, Stefan Ilic, Josie Hughes
Nana Obayashi, Kai Junge, Stefan Ilic, Josie Hughes
Control and morphology optimization of passive asymmetric structures for robotic swimming
Control and morphology optimization of passive asymmetric structures for robotic swimming
Nana Obayashi*, Andrea Vicari*, Kai Junge, Kamran Shakir, Josie Hughes
(* equal contribution)
Nana Obayashi*, Andrea Vicari*, Kai Junge, Kamran Shakir, Josie Hughes
(* equal contribution)
Exploration of human-robot collaboration methods for iterative design optimization of paper airplanes
Exploration of human-robot collaboration methods for iterative design optimization of paper airplanes
Nana Obayashi, Kai Junge, Josie Hughes
Nana Obayashi, Kai Junge, Josie Hughes
Controlling maneuverability of a bio-inspired swimming robot through morphological transformation
Controlling maneuverability of a bio-inspired swimming robot through morphological transformation
Kai Junge*, Francesco Stella*, Nana Obayashi*, Cosimo Della Santina, Josie Hughes
(* equal contribution)
Kai Junge*, Francesco Stella*, Nana Obayashi*, Cosimo Della Santina, Josie Hughes
(* equal contribution)
Soft passive swimmer optimization: From simulation to reality using data-driven transformation
Soft passive swimmer optimization: From simulation to reality using data-driven transformation
Nana Obayashi, Carlo Bosio, Josie Hughes
Nana Obayashi, Carlo Bosio, Josie Hughes
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