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About

Xiaoyu Chu is a leading researcher in space robotics and bio-inspired mechanisms, with a focus on enabling autonomous, safe, and adaptive robotic operations in extreme environments. Her work spans path planning for multi-arm space robots, impedance-sliding mode control for capturing non-cooperative objects, and locomotion planning for quadruped robots on lunar terrain. A key contribution is her development of a path planning algorithm for multi-arm space maneuverable robots, which generates continuous, smooth trajectories for end effectors during station exterior operations—a foundational advancement cited 71 times. She also pioneered an impedance-sliding mode control method with force constraints for capturing uncontrolled space objects, addressing critical challenges in on-orbit servicing. Most recently, Chu has advanced soft robotics with a bio-inspired, stiffness-controllable continuum robot modeled on an elephant trunk, achieving the conflicting goals of high stiffness and flexibility for object manipulation. Her work on quadruped locomotion for lunar rough terrain further demonstrates her versatility. With a growing citation impact and a portfolio spanning space exploration and bio-inspired design, Chu is shaping the future of autonomous, adaptive robotics for challenging real-world applications.