Create Robots inspired by nature
--Qinghua's site

My robotics projects

Nice to meet you！

Dr. Qinghua Guan

Principal Investigator, SNSF Ambizione Fellow, EPFL.

Research on: Soft tactile/force sensors, Soft actuators, Morphing structures, Soft robotics, Embodied Intelligence.

‪Qinghua Guan‬ - ‪Google Scholar

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

09/2026- Present: Principal Investigator, SNSF Ambizione Fellow, EPFL.
07/2023– Present: Postdoc Researcher in Create Lab (Advisor: Prof. Josie Hughes) EPFL (Swiss Federal Technology Institute of Lausanne)

COMPETITIVE RESEARCH FUNDING

SNSF Ambizione Grant (Principal Investigator)

2026-2030 | CHF 773,000

Independent research program in Soft Robotics, Smart Materials, and Embodied Intelligence

Education

09/2017–12/2023: PhD in Engineering Mechanics (Supervisor: Prof. Jinsong Leng), HIT, China
09/2015–07/2017: MEng in Engineering Mechanics (Supervisor: Prof. Jinsong Leng), HIT, China

01/2015–06/2015: Visiting Student for Final Project (Advisor: Prof. Norman wereley), University of Maryland, USA

09/2011–07/2015: BEng in MEng in Engineering, HIT, China

Academic Service

Co-Organizer，2nd What Bimanuals Can Do (WBCD 2026) Competition (ICRA 2026)

Co-Organizer and Panel Moderator, "Bio-Inspired Robotic Perception/Control Workshop" at the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2025)

Co-Organizer, "Unconventional Robot Workshop" at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2025)

Recent Works

Inverse Co-Design of Mechanical and Sensory Properties in Soft Lattice Foams for Multifunctional Wearables -- Advanced Science, 2025

We present a data-driven inverse design framework for multifunctional lattice foams, integrating mechanical and sensory properties via neural networks and physics-informed models. Demonstrated through a smart knee pad, our approach enables optimized protection and sensing, paving the way for advanced wearable devices with customizable performance and environmental responsiveness.

Cite: Guan, Q., Dai, B., H. Sonar, & Hughes, J. (2025). Inverse Co-Design of Mechanical and Sensory Properties in Soft Lattice Foams for Multifunctional Wearables. Advanced Science.

Lattice structure musculoskeletal robots: Harnessing programmable geometric topology and anisotropy--Science Advances, 2025 (Cover)

Inspired by natural musculoskeletal systems, bioinspired soft-rigid robotc structures are created using programmable lattice geometries, enabling spatially varying mechanical properties and scalable lightweight designs for adaptable robots with precise stiffness and anisotropy.
Link: Contents | Science Advances 11, 29
Cite: Guan, Q., Dai, B., Cheng, H. H., & Hughes, J. (2025). Lattice structure musculoskeletal robots: Harnessing programmable geometric topology and anisotropy. Science Advances, 11(29), eadu9856.

A Versatile Neural Network Configuration Space Planning and Control Strategy for Modular Soft Robot Arms, IEEE Transactions on Robotics (T-RO), 2025

This research presents a robust planning and control strategy tailored for modular soft robotic arms, a type of robot distinguished by its compliance, flexibility, and reconfigurability. These arms are composed of soft actuator modules that can be reassembled into different configurations, allowing for adaptive morphology depending on the task or environment. Unlike rigid-bodied robots, this modular setup enables more organic, safer interactions with humans and delicate objects.
Link: A Versatile Neural Network Configuration Space Planning and Control Strategy for Modular Soft Robot Arms | IEEE T-RO
Z. Chen‡, Q. Guan‡, J. Hughes, A. Menciassi and C. Stefanini, "A Versatile Neural Network Configuration Space Planning and Control Strategy for Modular Soft Robot Arms," in IEEE Transactions on Robotics, vol. 41, pp. 4269-4282, 2025

Robotic locomotion through active and passive morphological adaptation in extreme outdoor environments--Science Robotics (2025)

This robot actively reconfigures its morphology, enabling multimodal locomotion—driving, rolling, and swimming—across diverse terrains. Its adaptability enhances energy efficiency, versatility, and robustness, revolutionizing autonomous navigation in complex environments.
link: Robotic locomotion through active and passive morphological adaptation in extreme outdoor environments | Science Robotics

Cite: Polzin, Max, Qinghua Guan, and Josie Hughes. "Robotic locomotion through active and passive morphological adaptation in extreme outdoor environments." Science Robotics 10.99 (2025): eadp6419.

Trimmed Helicoids: Architectured Soft Structures for Precision Robotics -NPJ Robotics (2023)

This project introduces trimmed helicoids, a new class of architectured soft structures designed for robotic applications requiring large workspaces, precise control, and safe physical interactions. These structures leverage geometric principles to create soft robotic systems that maintain high dexterity and stiffness modulation, without relying on traditional rigid components.
Link：Trimmed helicoids | npj Robotics

Guan, Q., Stella, F., Della Santina, C., Leng, J., & Hughes, J. (2023). Trimmed helicoids: an architectured soft structure yielding soft robots with high precision, large workspace, and compliant interactions. npj Robotics, 1(1), 4.

Multifunctional soft stackable robots by Netting–Rolling–Splicing -- --Soft Robotics (2023)

The demand for secure, adaptive, and autonomous operations in unknown and unpredictable environments leads to the soft stacking robot as a solution to enhance the functional diversity of soft robots.
Link: Multifunctional Soft Stackable Robots | Soft Robotics

Cite: Guan, Q., Liu, L., Sun, J., Wang, J., Guo, J., Liu, Y., & Leng, J. (2023). Multifunctional soft stackable robots by netting–rolling–splicing pneumatic artificial muscles. Soft Robotics, 10(5), 1001-1014.

Novel Bending and Helical Extensile/Contractile Pneumatic Artificial Muscles Inspired by Elephant Trunk--Soft Robotics (2020)

Inspired by the elephant trunk, this study introduces bending and helical PAMs, developing a unified model for axial, bending, and helical motions through experiments, topology analysis, and soft tandem manipulators.

Album

ICRA 2026

Vienna, 2026, Create Lab

Expo 2025

Osaka, Kansai, Japan

ICRA 2025

Create Lab 2025

Robosoft2025

Create Lab 2025

IN swiss 2022-Now

Adding

Soft Pneumatic Actuators 2015

During visiting in Maryland

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Create Robots inspired by nature--Qinghua's site