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About

Joonbo Chae is a leading figure in humanoid robotics, best known for his pivotal role in advancing the control and system architecture of disaster-response robots. His primary research areas include whole-body control, locomotion stability, and autonomous manipulation for humanoid platforms. Chae’s most significant contributions emerged from his work with Team SNU (Seoul National University) during the prestigious DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) Finals. His highly cited 2015 paper, “Approach of Team SNU to the DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals” (28 citations), details the innovative system architecture and controllers developed for the modular humanoid robot THORMANG. Building on this, his 2016 work, “Team SNU's Control Strategies for Enhancing a Robot's Capability” (20 citations), shares critical lessons from the competition, focusing on strategies that allowed a newly qualified team to compete effectively against established rivals. These publications have become essential references for researchers tackling real-world robotic challenges. Through his technical leadership, Chae has significantly influenced how humanoid robots are designed to operate in unstructured, hazardous environments, cementing his reputation as a key contributor to practical, field-ready robotics.