Kevin Ma

About

Kevin Ma is a pioneer in the field of bio-inspired robotics, with a research focus on micro-aerial and multimodal locomotion systems. His most celebrated contribution is the development of a biologically inspired, flapping-wing, hybrid aerial-aquatic microrobot (2017, 286 citations), a groundbreaking achievement that demonstrated how millimeter-scale robots can reconcile the conflicting aerodynamic and hydrodynamic demands of flight and underwater movement. This work, inspired by animal species from insects to vertebrates, opened a new frontier in amphibious robotics. Ma also made foundational contributions to the challenges of miniaturization in his influential review "Progress on ‘pico’ air vehicles" (2012, 156 citations), where he identified key obstacles in fabrication, actuation, fluid mechanics, stabilization, and power for sub-gram flying robots. His research has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what is possible at the smallest scales, earning him recognition as a leading figure in the development of next-generation, multi-environment robots.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   A biologically inspired, flapping-wing, hybrid aerial-aquatic microrobot

   286 citations · 2017
2. 2
   Progress on ‘pico’ air vehicles

   156 citations · 2012

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links