Prof. Xu Yangsheng, Professor of Automation and Computer-aided Engineering and director of Advanced Robotics Laboratory, CUHK, has been elected member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), in recognition of his ground-breaking achievements in the fields of engineering science and technology.
Prof. Xu Yangsheng, a world-renowned expert on robotics, is among the 33 experts elected from 484 eligible nominees for the 2007 new CAE membership, as announced on 29 December 2007.
Prof. Xu obtained his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in the US in 1989. Prior to joining CUHK in 1997, he was a faculty member at the Robotics Institute, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University, where he directed the Space Robotics Laboratory and developed the world's first zero-gravity laboratory environment and various real-time controlled space robot systems.
Prof. Xu has made significant contributions to the advancement of intelligent control systems in China's space technology, as well as the research and development of dynamic stable systems, automatic learning of human control strategy, wearable intelligent interface, and omni-directional hybrid electric vehicle. He has published over 270 papers, three monographs, and one edited work.
In addition to space robotics, Prof. Xu has made 'down-to-earth' inventions that have wide application and vast potential. These include a 'tracking robot' to help luggage transport and shopping, 'intelligent eyeglasses' offering instantaneous translation to tourists, 'intelligent shoes' that provide an option other than hand control, and a 'smart wheelchair' that improves the quality of life of the physically challenged.
CAE membership is the highest academic title in engineering science and technology. In 2007, two Hong Kong scientists made the list. Prof. Xu was also elected Academician of the International Euroasian Academy of Sciences, Fellow of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and a corresponding member of the International Academy of Astronautics.