The Robotics Engineering Department is pleased to welcome Assistant Professor Wei Xiao, whose research lies at the intersection of robotics, control theory, and artificial intelligence.
For Professor Xiao, robotics is more than just technology—it is an interdisciplinary field with the potential to transform everyday life. Inspired by the possibilities of AI-enabled robots that can safely and efficiently assist humans with both physical and cognitive tasks, he has dedicated his career to advancing safe and trustworthy robotics. A pivotal spark came from watching I, Robot, a film that deepened his fascination with science fiction and the promise of intelligent machines.
Professor Xiao’s academic journey reflects a steady progression toward this vision. He began with quadruped robot hardware design and control algorithms, pursued his PhD in safety-critical control theory, and then expanded his expertise as a postdoctoral researcher in trustworthy machine learning. Now, as Professor Xiao joins the faculty, he brings these powerful tools together to push robotics research forward.
His work specializes in safe control theory and trustworthy AI—fields critical to ensuring that robotic systems are not only intelligent, but also reliable and safe for real-world deployment.
Professor Xiao is equally passionate about teaching and mentoring. He believes that research and education go hand in hand, and his approach emphasizes grounding students in fundamental principles of robotics before engaging them directly with real-world systems. By involving students in hands-on projects, he hopes to cultivate both technical skills and creative motivation.
Looking ahead, Professor Xiao envisions a future where robots are seamlessly integrated into daily life, assisting people across a wide range of tasks. His role, he says, is to design the safety principles that ensure these technologies can be trusted. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration—merging control theory, machine learning, and robotics—he is particularly excited about emerging trends in AI-driven robotics and is dedicated to developing trustworthy systems that advance the field responsibly.
His advice for aspiring roboticists is simple but powerful: “Start with a good motivation, and then put effort on it.”
Please join us in welcoming Assistant Professor Wei Xiao to our department as he continues his upward path in robotics research and education.
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