Papers
39
Total Citations
1,170
H-Index
18
About
Quan Nguyen is a leading robotics researcher whose work sits at the intersection of nonlinear control theory, safety-critical systems, and dynamic legged locomotion. His research has made foundational contributions to the development of robust, agile robots capable of navigating complex real-world environments, with a particular focus on bipedal and quadrupedal platforms. Nguyen is best known for pioneering the application of Control Lyapunov Functions (CLFs) and Control Barrier Functions (CBFs) within quadratic programming frameworks, enabling robots to achieve stable locomotion while rigorously enforcing safety and physical constraints—even under significant model uncertainty. His 2019 work on optimized jumping with the MIT Cheetah 3 (135 citations) showcased his ability to translate theoretical advances into spectacular real-world performance. His 2021 paper on robust safety-critical control (128 citations) further cemented his reputation by addressing model uncertainty in dynamically challenging scenarios. Across his career, Nguyen has tackled the deceptively difficult problem of dynamic walking over discrete terrain, producing multiple highly cited contributions on stepping-stone locomotion. His more recent work on adaptive force-based control and model predictive control extends these ideas to increasingly agile robotic behaviors. Collectively, his papers have accumulated over 760 citations, reflecting his substantial and growing influence on modern robotics research.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Optimized Jumping on the MIT Cheetah 3 Robot135 citations · 2019
- 2Robust Safety-Critical Control for Dynamic Robotics128 citations · 2021
- 33D dynamic walking on stepping stones with control barrier functions124 citations · 2016
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- 7Adaptive Force-based Control for Legged Robots51 citations · 2021
- 8Dynamic Walking on Randomly-Varying Discrete Terrain with One-step Preview51 citations · 2017
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