Randy J. Gu, Ph.D.

Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering Department 436 EC; (248) 370-2219; Fax: (248) 370-4633 [email protected]

Education

• Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, Purdue University, 1985
• M. S. Electronics, University of Science and Technology of China, 1981

Teaching

• Robotic Systems and Control
• Analysis of Nonlinear Control Systems
• Electromechanical Energy Conversion
• Automatic Control Systems

Research 

• Kinematics
• Task-Planning
• Dynamic Modeling and Control of Robotic Systems
• Nonlinear Systems Modeling
• Analysis
• Adaptive Control and Computer Simulations
• Human Biomechanical and Biodynamic Modeling and Digital Simulations
• Learning and Intelligent Control of Human-Machine Interactive Systems

“The major research interests are in the areas of robotic kinematics, dynamics and control, nonlinear control systems, and digital human modeling and applications. Robotics research and technology development have been helpful in industrial applications for decades, and are now at the cutting-edge of making another big leap to create a robot that imitates the entire human capability and intelligence. The impact will be tremendous on society and economics in the near future.” -Edward Y.L. Gu, 2013

Current Research

• Basic research on geometrical and topological models for robot and nonlinear dynamic systems;
• Large-scale and cascaded nonlinear systems modeling, analysis and control;
• Digital human modeling: biomechanics, biodynamics and realistic motion generations;
• Development and integration of intelligent knowledge bases and cognitive models with applications to advanced digital human and humanoid robot innovations.

Previous Research

Conducted and involved many funded R&D projects with a total amount of funding support up to one million dollars, funded by GM, DaimlerChrysler, U.S. TACOM, and Regal Electronics, during the past 20 years.  As a detail, the research efforts included

• Robotic car-clay model cutting systems development for GM Research Laboratories;
• Intelligent robotic painting system development for GM R&D Center;
• Development and evaluation of agile manufacturing workcells for U.S. TACOM;
• Smart electronic sensory-based control system development for Regal Electronics;
• Digital human modeling and simulations in Deneb IGRIP, Catia V5 and Delmia D5 platforms with applications to automotive product design, manufacturing process analysis and validation, and ergonomic evaluation. 

Future Research

• Advanced robotic technology development and applications:
  1. Dynamic modeling and control of flexible robotic systems;
  2. Control and digital mock-up for multi-robot coordinated systems and humanoid robots;
  3. Intelligent control of human-machine dynamic  interactive systems.
• Advanced nonlinear systems modeling, analysis and control system design with digital simulation;
• Realistic digital human modeling, motion generation and simulation for engineering applications;
• Modeling and digital simulation of human factor, human feeling and psychology.

Selected Publications

1. “A Journey from Robot to Digital Human,” Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, September 2013, ISBN 978-3- 642-39046- 3.

2. “Backstepping Control Design for Vehicle Active Restraint Systems,” ASME Transactions: Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control, Vol. 135, No. 1, January 2013, paper number 011012, pp. 1-9.

3. “Modeling of Human-Vehicle Dynamic Interactions and Control of Vehicle Active Systems”, International Journal on Vehicle Autonomous Systems, Vol.10, No. 4, December, 2012, pp. 297-314.

4. “Trust-Based Coalition Formation in Multi-Agent Systems”, Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation: Applications, Methodology, Technology, SAGE Publications, 2013.

Industry Experience

• Joint research ventures with GM Research Laboratories/R&D Center for eight consecutive years from 1991 to 1999;
• Worked with Advance Manufacturing Engineering of DaimlerChrysler as a professor intern/research consultant for 13 summers in a row from 1996 to 2008;
• Awarded with a U.S. Patent (US 6204619 B1) in June 2001 when worked with DaimlerChrysler on dynamic control algorithm development for a powered lift device.