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About

Lee’s research career has been defined by a pioneering drive to bridge biology and robotics, with a particular focus on biomimetic locomotion and human-robot interaction. His most notable contribution is the development of a fully self-contained quadruped bounding robot actuated by piezoelectric materials—a significant step toward autonomous legged robots that carry their own circuitry on board. This work, published in 2009, remains his most cited paper and underscores his commitment to creating lifelike, independent robotic systems. Beyond locomotion, Lee has explored the nuanced boundaries of human-robot relationships, asking provocative questions such as whether hitting a robot feels the same as hitting a human. He has also advanced force control in multi-robot object handling tasks and developed haptic interfaces for precise mobile robot navigation. Though his citation counts are modest—his top paper has 8 citations—the breadth of his inquiry into autonomy, perception, and ethical interaction marks him as a thoughtful innovator in experimental robotics. His work continues to inspire students interested in the intersection of mechanical design, control systems, and the social implications of embodied AI.