Members

Rob Scharff

PhD in Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2021

Assistant Professor
Division of Integrative Systems and Design (ISD)
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Email: scharffrbn@ust.hk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-scharff-09987328/
Faculty Profile: https://facultyprofiles.hkust.edu.hk/profiles.php?profile=rob-scharff-scharffrbn

Yucheng Luo 罗宇城 (Simon)

September 2023 – Present

BSc. in Integrative Systems and Design (ISD) & Mechanical Engineering, HKUST, 2023

Research Focus: Quasi-joint robot arm.

Email: yluobl@connect.ust.hk
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/simonhkust

Yuchen Liang 梁宇辰 (Eric)

February 2024 – Present

MPhil. in Integrative Systems and Design, HKUST, 2025
BSc. in Integrative Systems and Design & Mechanical Engineering, HKUST, 2022

Research Focus: Pneumatic artificial muscle, Biomimetic robotics, Soft continuum arm.

Email: yuchen.liang@connect.ust.hk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyceric/

Ming Chun Chan 陳鳴俊 (Jason)

September 2024 – Present

BSc. in Integrative Systems and Design, HKUST, 2024

Research Focus: Compliant mechanism, Embodied intelligence.

Email: mcchanaj@connect.ust.hk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ming-chun-chan-9a2258357/

Sweder van Dipten

September 2024 – Present

MSc. Eng. Autonomous Systems, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU), 2024
BSc. in Artificial Intelligence, Universiteit Utrecht, 2021

Research Focus: Dexterous soft hand.

Email: sgvandipten@connect.ust.hk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweder-van-dipten-9b8789158/

Lai Yin Garmisch Wong 王禮彥

September 2025 – Present

BSc. in Integrative Systems and Design with Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence, HKUST, 2025

Research Focus: Soft continuum arm, peristaltic transfer system

Email: lygwong@connect.ust.hk
Personal Website: https://pro.garmisch.space

Yongkai Ye 叶永凯

September 2025 – Present

MEng. in Agricultural Mechanization Engineering, ZJU, 2025
BEng. in Electronics and Information Engineering, NWAFU, 2022

Research Focus: Soft suction cup, finite element analysis, and machine learning

Email: yongkai.ye@connect.ust.hk
Personal Website: https://yongkai-ye.github.io

Min Tan 谭敏

September 2023 – Present (Co-supervision)

MSc. in Big Data and Information Engineering, Guizhou University, 2022

Research Focus: Computer Vision.

Email: mtanaf@connect.ust.hk
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=3MabTKkAAAAJ

Chun Yin Yip 葉俊賢 (Aaron)

November 2025 – Present (Co-supervision)

MPhil. in Mechanical Engineering, HKUST, 2025
BEng. in Mechanical Engineering, HKUST, 2023

Research Focus: Tendon Driven Continuum Arm & Lab Automation.

Email: c.y.yipai@connect.hku.hk
Linkedln: www.linkedin.com/in/cyyipai0514/

Maksim Sharapov

September 2025 – Present

BSc in Individualised Interdisciplinary Major in Design and Management, HKUST 2025

Research Focus: Soft robotics, Mechatronics, Design for 3D printing

Email: maharapov@connect.ust.hk

Personal Website: noparaphernalia.com

Wendi Liang 梁文迪 (Steven)

September 2025 – Present

BEng in Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), 2025

Research Focus: Bio-inspired Robotics Fish.

Email: 21098523d@connect.polyu.hk
LinkedIn: https://whaleson03.github.io

Dickson Chiu Yu Wong

October 2023 – June 2024 (Post-Doctoral Fellow)

Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 2008
MSc in Mechanical Engineering, HKUST, 2019
PhD in Mechanical Engineering, HKUST, 2023

Research Focus: Pneumatic bending actuator.

Email: dickson.wong.cy@outlook.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dickson1213/

Chaoyang Liu 刘超阳 (Keven)

September 2024 – September 2025 (Research Assistant)

BEng in Smart Transportation & Artificial Intelligence, Shenzhen University, 2024

Research Focus: Proprioception of soft actuator.

Email: kevenliu@ust.hk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaoyang-liu-40a496306/