Youngjin Hong
Youngjin Hong
I am a PhD student in the Department of Electical and Computer Engineering from University of Minnesota (UMN), advised by Prof. Changhyun Choi. My research focuses on learning-based robot policies for robust and general robot tasks. I am especially interested in Vision-Language-Action models or applying Vision-Language Models for task planning.
Before joining UMN, I was a research engineer at Hanwha Aerospace, where I developed business proposal for the next-generation Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) technologies as well as UGV simulation. I completed my master's and bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), advised by Hyungpil Moon.
Education
Ph.D Electrical Engineering, 2024 - Present
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (UMN), USA
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2024
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Korea
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2022
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), Korea
Research Interests
Robot manipulation
Learning-based robotic task
Vision-Language-Action Models
Robotic hardware design
[Presentation] Stable Dishware Pushing via Convolutional Neural Networks (2023)
TLDR: The robot with CNN model can stably push dishes with unknown physical properties.
Youngjin Hong*, Sungwon Seo*, Hong-ryul Jung*, Jeongmin Jeon, Jonghyun Kim, and Hyungpil Moon
IROS 2023 (Late Breaking Results)
[Conference] Vision-based Stable 2D Planar Pushing of Dishware with 6-DOF Manipulator (2023)
TLDR: The robot with vision data input can stably push dishes with unknown physical properties.
Youngjin Hong, Sungwon Seo, Hong-ryul Jung, Jeongmin Jeon, Jonghyun Kim, and Hyungpil Moon
ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Multibody Dynamics, 2023
[Conference] Transformable Fingertip to Augment Tableware Grasp Capability (2022)
TLDR: Fingertips on parallel-jaw grippers can augment gripper maximum stroke by changing its mode.
Haejun Seong*, Youngjin Hong*, Hong-ryul Jung*, Myeongyun Doh, Jonghyun Kim, and Hyungpil Moon
International Conference on Control, Automation and Systems (ICCAS), 2022
[Lab Project] Modulization of Bin-Picking Intelligence (2022)
Mother Project: Development of Cloud Robot Intelligence Augmentation, Sharing and Framework Technology to Integrate and Enhance the Intelligence of Multiple Robots
Funded by Ministry of Science and ICT, S.Korea
[Lab Project] 6D-pose estimation network for grasp task performance experiment (2022)
Mother Project: Development of Cloud Robot Intelligence Augmentation, Sharing and Framework Technology to Integrate and Enhance the Intelligence of Multiple Robots
Funded by Ministry of Science and ICT, S.Korea
[Lab Project] Force closure determination algorithm for parallel-jaw gripper (2022)
Mother Project: Development of Core Technology for Mobile Manipulator for 5G Edge-Based Transportation and Manipulation
Funded by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, S.Korea
[Git Repo]
[Coursework] Vision-Based Pill Dispensing Robot (2021)
Course: Term Project on Senior Capstone Design
Team Leader
Role: Hardware Design
[Coursework] Automotive Hand Sanitizing Robot (2021)
Course: Term Project on Design Lab on Vibration and Dynamic Systems
Recognized for exceptional performance, ranked 1st in term project presentation
[Intern] Data Crawling for Excavator Reliability Test (2021)
Internship in HD Hyundai Infracore (formerly Doosan Infracore)
Recognized for exceptional performance and received a full-time offer
[Corporate] Delivery Robot Platform for the Senior Care Hospitals using SLAM (2021)
Team Member, S-HERO Co-oP project in Partnership with WeGo Robotics
Role: Hardware Design
Received Excellence Prize (SKKU S-HERO Corporate Problem Solving Program)
[Corporate] Designing Electric Excavator Arm by Replacing its Hydraulic System into Motor System (2020)
Team Member, S-HERO Co-oP project in Partnership with HD Hyundai Infracore (formerly Doosan Infracore)
Role: Hardware Design
Received Excellence Prize (SKKU S-HERO Corporate Problem Solving Program)
Accepted an internship at HD Hyundai Infracore after the project, and offered for full-time position