Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal profile
Dr. Fan Zhang joined the School of Robotics at XJTLU as an Assistant Professor in Aug. 2023. Dr. Zhang is an inter-disciplinary researcher with a multi-disciplinary background in Mechanical Engineering and Automation (B.Eng. at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, CN), Robotics (M.Sc. with Distinction at King’s College London, UK), and Material Perception (Ph.D. at TU Delft, NL; Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship). Prior to joining XJTLU, Dr. Zhang worked as an external Postdoctoral Researcher for Procter & Gamble (DE) in Multisensory Perception and Consumer Knowledge research from Dec.2018 to Jun.2019, and later as Research Fellow for University of Birmingham (UK) in Computational Modelling and Cognitive Robotics since Dec. 2019.
Research interests
Cognitive Robotics
Dr. Zhang is motivated to integrate the state-of-the-art AI developments with human-factor studies for mechanistic explanations, validations, and real-life applications in Cognitive Robotics. His research interests cover but are not limited to the following topics: Computer Vision, Computer Graphics, 3D Modelling Rendering, Intelligent Manufacturing, Human-Computer/Robot-Interaction, Interactive UX/UI Design, Mid-/High-level Human Vision, Visual Attention, Ecological Optics and Perception of Materials, Light, Shapes, etc.
Experience
Assistant Professor, School of Robotics, XJTLU, 2023 - Present
Programme Director of MSc Advanced Robotics Systems, XJTLU, 2024 - Present
Research Fellow, University of Birmingham, 2019-2023
Postdoctoral Researcher, Delft University of Technology; Procter Gamble (DE), 2018-2019
Teaching
As Module Leader:
RBE403TC - Intelligent Robotics and Applications
RBE404TC - Application of Cutting Edge Technologies in Robotics Design
(Previous) co-teach:
RBE001 - Introductions to Intelligent Robotics
RBE103TC - Electronic Circuits - Analogue and Digital
RBE105TC - Introduction to Intelligent Robotics and Application
RBE402TC - Robotics Software Design and Machine Learning
ResearchDesign (UG, Delft University of Technology, AY17/18)
Practical Skills for Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Robotics (PG, University of Birmingham, AY20/21-AY22/23)
Awards and honours
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhD Fellowship, 2013
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Related documents
Education/Academic qualification
Ph.D., Delft University of Technology, 2019
M.Sc. in Robotics, King's College London, 2013
B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2011
Person Types
- Staff
Fingerprint
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Decision-making modelling for Autonomous Driving via Explainable AI and Cognitive Robotics
1/01/24 → 31/12/26
Project: Internal Research Project
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SBE-UKRI: Integrating Vision and Action through Selection History
Heinke, D. & Zhang, F.
9/12/19 → 9/12/22
Project: Governmental Research Project
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Modeling Multi-sensory Premium-ness Perception
Zhang, F. & Pont, S.
17/12/18 → 16/06/19
Project: Collaborative Research Project
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PRISM - Perceptual Representation of Illumination, Shape & Material
Zhang, F., Fleming, R. W. & Pont, S.
18/11/13 → 17/11/17
Project: Governmental Research Project
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Computational modelling reveals the influence of object similarity and proximity on visually guided movements
Patil, M., Heinke, D. & Zhang, F., 25 Feb 2025, In: PeerJ. e18953.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Reveal the Distractions of the Irrelevant Features using a Neurobiologically Plausible Cognitive Robotics Model
Patil, M., Heinke, D. & Zhang, F., 29 Nov 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Open Access -
Towards Modelling Human Driving: Testing the Influence of Driving Mode and Distraction Types in a VR Simulator
Liu, J., Li, Y. & Zhang, F., Nov 2024, (Accepted/In press).Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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Continuous action with a neurobiologically inspired computational approach reveals the dynamics of selection history.
Makwana, M., Zhang, F., Heinke, D. & Song, J-H., 17 Jul 2023, In: PLoS Computational Biology. 19, 7, e1011283.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Evaluating individual differences in selection history bias for goal-directed reaching movements
Makwana, M., Zhang, F., Heinke, D. & Song, J-H., 5 Dec 2022, In: Journal of Vision. 22, 14, 4281.Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting Abstract › peer-review
Activities
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Enhancing Autonomous Driving Systems through Explainable AI: Human-Robot Interaction and Cognitive Modelling for Partially and Highly Automated Vehicles
Fan Zhang (Supervisor), Sze-Hong Teh (Co-supervisor) & Baoru Huang (Co-supervisor)
4 Mar 2025 → 28 Feb 2029Activity: Supervision › PhD Supervision
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Al and Cognitive Robotics towards Visual-tactile Perception of Materials and Human-Robot Interaction
Fan Zhang (Supervisor), Muhammad Ateeq (Co-supervisor) & Baoru Huang (Co-supervisor)
2 Jan 2025 → 2028Activity: Supervision › PhD Supervision
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Journal of Vision (Journal)
Fan Zhang (Reviewer)
3 Dec 2024 → 31 Dec 2024Activity: Peer-review and editorial work of publications › Publication Peer-review
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Towards Modelling Human Driving: Testing the Influence of Driving Mode and Distraction Types in a VR Simulator
Fan Zhang (Speaker)
24 Nov 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation at conference/workshop/seminar
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Continuous reach planning with a cognitive robotics approach reveals human attention and action selections
Fan Zhang (Speaker)
20 Nov 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk