Papers
83
Total Citations
1,012
H-Index
18
About
Mantian Li is a versatile robotics researcher whose work spans legged locomotion, medical robotics, exoskeleton systems, and bio-inspired control — making him a rare figure capable of bridging biomechanics, control theory, and real-world robotic applications. His most celebrated contributions lie in biologically inspired locomotion control, particularly his development of central pattern generator (CPG)-based frameworks for quadruped, hexapod, and biped robots. His 2014 work on springy-legged quadruped trotting (97 citations) and his 2016 CPG-based hexapod gait generation study (73 citations) established him as a leading voice in adaptive legged locomotion, with the latter introducing an elegant analytical approach to smooth gait transitions using Van der Pol oscillators. Li has also made significant strides in medical robotics, pioneering snake-like colonoscopes and novel endoscopic locomotion principles that prioritize patient comfort. His more recent work addresses human-robot collaboration through lower limb exoskeletons, developing online joint muscular torque estimation methods and the APAL active power-assist robot for elderly and mobility-impaired users. With over 480 citations across his top works, Li's research consistently merges biological inspiration with practical engineering impact.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Control of a Quadruped Robot with Bionic Springy Legs in Trotting Gait97 citations · 2014
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- 4Dynamics and motion control of a two pendulums driven spherical robot48 citations · 2010
- 5CPG Control for Biped Hopping Robot in Unpredictable Environment46 citations · 2012
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- 7Structure design of active power-assist lower limb exoskeleton APAL robot36 citations · 2017
- 8Design of a novel snake-like robotic colonoscope32 citations · 2009
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- 10A Novel Locomotion Principle for Endoscopic Robot27 citations · 2006