Miniature Intelligent Robotic System (MIRS) Lab stands as a dynamic and deeply interdisciplinary research collective, driven by a shared mission to forge advancements in miniature robot/device-related theories and technologies, further amplified by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). Our unwavering focus extends across the vast landscape of challenges in biomedical engineering, robotics, and human-robot interaction, where we channel our intellect and endeavors to pioneer transformative solutions. We expect to provide new solutions to tackle the problems in the world and bring a better life to all through our intelligence and effort. Some ongoing research topics are:

• Biomedical robots: We are dedicated to designing, creating, and guiding miniaturized robots capable of performing biopsy, diagnostics, and therapeutic tasks within the body’s natural openings. Our mission is to redefine the limits of biomedical tools by developing compact, portable devices for minimally invasive procedures. With a passion for innovation, we explore diverse methods to construct functional miniature systems adaptable to various scenarios, spanning advanced materials, manufacturing, electronics, and AI. Our efforts aim to introduce groundbreaking therapy methods and usher in the next generation of biomedical devices, ultimately enhancing patient comfort and improving quality of life.
• AI-enhanced human-robot interaction:  We’d like to challenge the tasks of human-robot interaction by developing intelligent sensors and soft electronic devices coupled with advancements in AI algorithms. Alongside a metaverse framework, these elements converge to empower robots with an astute understanding of human interactions and their environment, fostering a harmonious and coherent fusion with both. Our dedicated research endeavors in this field hold the potential to catalyze the realization of the futuristic landscapes often depicted in science-fiction films, where AI-driven integration shapes a new paradigm of possibilities. 
• Relevant fundamentals: We are intrigued by a multitude of questions, such as the integration of intelligence on a miniature scale, the emergent intelligence displayed by ordinary organisms in crisis, the intricacies of highly sensory skin, the capacity of simple neurons to manifest advanced intelligence through connections, and so on. These queries motivate us to bridge the gap between scientific inquiry and engineering innovation, drawing upon disciplines like Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Materials Science, to emulate nature’s mechanisms in an engineered context. As we unravel the mysteries that nature holds, we anticipate that our explorations will not only expand our understanding but also spark novel pathways for advancements in robotic development. With an unwavering commitment to discovery, we embark on a journey to unearth these unknowns and channel our excitement into the realm of possibility.

Selected Papers

• Xiong Yang, Rong Tan, Haojian Lu, Toshio Fukuda, Yajing Shen*. Milli-scale cellular robots that can reconfigure morphologies and behaviors simultaneously. Nature Communications, 13, 4156 (2022).
• Panbing Wang, MAR Al Azad, Xiong Yang, Paolo R Martelli, Kam Yan Cheung, Jiahai Shi*, Yajing Shen*. Self-adaptive and efficient propulsion of Ray sperms at different viscosities enabled by heterogeneous dual helixes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118, e2024329118 (2021).
• Youcan Yan, Zhe Hu, Zhengbao Yang, Wenzhen Yuan, Chaoyang Song, Jia Pan*, Yajing Shen*. Soft magnetic skin for super-resolution tactile sensing with force self-decoupling. Science Robotics, 6, eabc8801 (2021).
• Xiong Yang, Wanfeng Shang, Haojian Lu, Yanting Liu, Liu Yang, Rong Tan, Xinyu Wu*, Yajing Shen*. An agglutinate magnetic spray transforms inanimate objects into millirobots for biomedical applications. Science Robotics, 5, eabc8191 (2020).
• Haojian Lu, Mei Zhang, Yuanyuan Yang, Qiang Huang, Toshio Fukuda, Zuankai Wang*, Yajing Shen*. A bioinspired multilegged soft millirobot that functions in both dry and wet conditions. Nature Communications, 9, 1-7 (2018).