James Ng

Papers

Total Citations

185

H-Index

About

James Ng is a pioneering researcher whose work spans robotics, electromagnetic actuation, and autonomous navigation. He is best known for his foundational contribution to mobile robotics with his 2007 paper "Performance Comparison of Bug Navigation Algorithms," which has garnered 178 citations and remains a key reference for path-planning strategies in unknown environments. Ng systematically evaluated classic bug algorithms, providing critical insights into their efficiency and robustness—work that continues to inform both academic research and practical robotic design. Beyond navigation, Ng made an early and striking contribution to high-force actuation with his 1988 study on eddy current driven actuators. In that work, he demonstrated how intense pulsed magnetic fields, generated by discharging capacitor banks through pancake coils, could produce powerful, recoilless forces in a compact 7-kg robotic system. This innovation opened new possibilities for high-speed, high-force applications in robotics and automation. Ng’s career reflects a rare blend of theoretical rigor and bold experimental engineering, leaving a lasting impact on both autonomous systems and electromagnetic actuator design.