Xiaobo Bi

University of California San Diego, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

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About

Xiaobo Bi is a pioneering researcher in bio-inspired soft robotics, with a focus on underwater locomotion. Her work draws inspiration from marine invertebrates to solve fundamental challenges in soft robot mobility. Bi’s most notable contribution is the development of a cephalopod-inspired robot capable of cyclic jet propulsion through shape change, a 2020 study that has garnered 63 citations. This work directly addresses a key limitation in soft robotics: achieving rapid locomotion despite the inherent slow motion propagation in compliant structures, particularly in aquatic environments. Building on this, Bi investigated the feasibility of hydrodynamically activated valves for salp-like propulsion (2022, 11 citations), using numerical simulations to understand how these simple organisms control internal flow for efficient swimming. By bridging biological principles with engineering design, Bi’s research offers promising pathways for creating faster, more agile soft robots for underwater exploration, environmental monitoring, and delicate object manipulation. Her work stands at the intersection of biomechanics and robotics, providing foundational insights that inspire future innovations in autonomous underwater vehicles.