Haoran Li

University of Bristol, Bristol Robotics Laboratory

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Haoran Li is an emerging robotics researcher specializing in tactile sensing and human-robot interaction, with a particular focus on developing advanced sensory systems that enable robots to interact with the physical world more safely and intelligently. His work bridges the gap between robotic dexterity and human-like touch perception, addressing one of the most challenging frontiers in modern robotics. Li's most notable contribution is his tactile-driven grasping framework, published in 2023 and already accumulating 14 citations, which integrates miniaturized TacTip optical tactile sensors across all five fingertips of an anthropomorphic SoftHand. This system enables gentle, force-sensitive grasping critical for collaborative human-robot tasks — a significant step toward safer co-working environments. Building on this foundation, his 2024 work introduces TacShade, an innovative 3D-printed soft optical tactile sensor inspired by the artistic principles of sketch drawing, using light, shadow, and greyscale patterns to reconstruct 3D surface geometry with remarkable fidelity. Li's research demonstrates a creative synthesis of bio-inspired design, soft robotics, and computer vision. For students and researchers in robotics, his work represents a promising pathway toward robots capable of nuanced, touch-aware manipulation in real-world environments.