About

Tong Zhao is a multidisciplinary researcher whose work spans two remarkably distinct yet equally innovative domains: advanced tactile sensing and autonomous aerial robotics. In the field of flexible electronics, Zhao has made significant strides in developing skin-like multimodal sensors capable of detecting pressure and temperature simultaneously in extreme environments. This work, which has garnered an impressive 223 citations since 2025, represents a major advancement in human-machine interaction, pushing tactile perception beyond conventional human sensory capabilities through triboelectric technology. Equally compelling is Zhao's contributions to autonomous aerial systems, where their research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotic flight. By integrating Large Language Models into aerial robot decision-making, Zhao has pioneered resilience and adaptive reasoning frameworks for long-term autonomous operation. Perhaps most notably, their work on insect-scale flapping-wing robots demonstrates a deep commitment to biologically inspired engineering, achieving aerobatic maneuvers through deep learning-guided robust tube model predictive control — capabilities previously unseen at such diminutive scales. Zhao's unique ability to bridge materials science, control theory, and machine learning marks them as a genuinely versatile researcher whose contributions are shaping next-generation intelligent systems across multiple frontiers.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

2
H-Index
4
Papers
240
Total Citations
60
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Triboelectric tactile sensor for pressure and temperature sensing in high-temperature applications
223 citations · 2025
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2025 (2 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 20
🏛 Institutions: Guangxi University, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Top Papers

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Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 14 days ago