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Biography

Dongwon Yun is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), South Korea. Before joining DGIST, he worked as a researcher at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and later as a researcher and senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM). He also conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley.

His research focuses on bio-inspired robotics, soft robotics, compliant mechanisms, robotic grippers, sensors and actuators, and mobile and legged robotic systems. His work integrates mechanical design, sensing, actuation, control, and artificial intelligence to develop adaptive and robust robotic systems capable of operating in complex environments.

He also serves in academic leadership and editorial roles, including Chair of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering at DGIST and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Military Robotics Society.

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Education

2013
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea

2004
M.S. in Mechatronics Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju, South Korea

2002
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea

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Professional Experience

Feb. 2026–Present
Department Chair
Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST, Daegu, South Korea

Mar. 2025–Present
Professor
Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST, Daegu, South Korea

Mar. 2021–Feb. 2025
Associate Professor
Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST, Daegu, South Korea

Aug. 2023–May 2024
Adjunct Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon, South Korea

Oct. 2016–Feb. 2021
Assistant Professor
Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, DGIST, Daegu, South Korea

Apr. 2014–Mar. 2015
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of California, Berkeley, California, USA

Jan. 2005–Sep. 2016
Researcher and Senior Researcher
Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), Daejeon, South Korea

Feb. 2004–Dec. 2004
Researcher
Agency for Defense Development (ADD), Daejeon, South Korea

Nov. 1996–May 1999

Mandatory Military Service — Aircraft Arresting System Maintenance Technician

Republic of Korea Air Force 

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Sabbatical Appointments and Research Visits

Jun. 2024–Aug. 2024
Visiting Researcher
German Aerospace Center (DLR), Germany

Dec. 2023–Feb. 2024
Visiting Scholar
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA 

Sep. 2023–Nov. 2023 and Mar. 2024–May 2024
Visiting Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea

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Research Interests

• Bio-Inspired and Biomimetic Robotic Systems

• Soft Robotics and Compliant Mechanisms

• Industrial Robotics and Mechatronic Systems

• Robotic Grippers and Manipulation

• Sensors and Actuators

• Mobile, Legged, and Snake Robots

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Academic Leadership and Editorial Service

2022–Present
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of the Military Robotics Society

2021–Present
Board Member, Military Robotics Society

2019–Present
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Korea Robotics Society

2017–Present
Board Member, IT Convergence Division, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

2018–2019, 2022–2023
Board Member, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

2023
General Chair, 26th International Conference on Mechatronics Technology

2020
Guest Editor, Special Issue on Bio-Inspired Robots, Applied Sciences

2019
Session Chair, IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems

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Professional Memberships

• Senior Member, IEEE

• Member, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

• Member, Korea Robotics Society

• Member, Korean Society for Fluid Power and Construction Equipment

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Selected Honors and Awards

2025
Excellent Paper Award, Spring Conference on IT Convergence, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
Excellent Paper Award, Spring Conference, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

2024
Ministerial Commendation, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
Best Paper Award, Spring Conference, Korean Society for Precision Engineering

2023
Excellent Paper Award, Military Robotics Society
Best Paper Award, 26th International Conference on Mechatronics Technology
Excellent Paper Awards, IT Convergence Division, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

2022
Encouragement Award, Capstone Design Competition, IT Convergence Division, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

2021
Excellence in Research Award, DGIST
Best Paper Award, IT Convergence Division, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

2020
Future Scientist Excellence Paper Award, Korea Robotics Society

2019
Innovative Endeavor Prize, Republic of Korea Army
Best Paper Award, Korea Robotics Society
Future Scientist Best Paper Award, Korea Robotics Society
UGRP Excellence Cooperation Award, DGIST

2018
Excellent Paper Award, International Conference on Mechatronics Technology
UGRP Excellence Cooperation Award, DGIST

2015
Medal for Distinguished Services, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials
Academic Award, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials
Excellent Paper Award, Korean Society for Power System Engineering

2013
Outstanding Globalization Award for BK21, KAIST

2010
Best Poster Award, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

2008
Special Medal for Distinguished Services, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials

2007
Excellent Paper Award, Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers

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Contact

Professor Dongwon Yun
Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology

E-mail: mech@dgist.ac.kr
Tel: +82-53-785-6219