I am an MS student in Computer Engineering at Northwestern University, which I began in September 2026. I received my bachelor's degree in Robotics Engineering from Shandong University, College of Control Science and Engineering, in June 2026. I am passionate about the intersection of machine learning, control systems, and human–robot interaction.
My research focuses on machine learning-based human gait analysis — specifically, detecting and predicting gait phases from surface electromyography (sEMG) signals using artificial neural networks. I have published three papers at international conferences and received national and provincial awards in robotics competitions.
I spent Fall 2025 as an exchange student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (GPA: 4.0 / 4.0), where I worked in the Flexible Electronics & Additive Printing Lab on electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing.
Education
Sep 2026 – May 2028 (Expected)
Northwestern University
MS Computer Engineering · Evanston, IL
Sep 2025 – Dec 2025
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Exchange Student · Industrial & Systems Engineering · Madison, WI
GPA 4.0 / 4.0
Sep 2022 – Jun 2026
Shandong University
BS Robotics Engineering · College of Control Science and Engineering · Jinan, China
GPA 84.74 / 100
Research Experience
Oct 2024 – Sep 2026
Robotics Center, Shandong University
Research Assistant · Prof. Zhang Huanghe (张黄河)
Gait Phase Detection & Prediction with Machine Learning on sEMG Signals
- Analyzed lower-limb surface EMG signals and built a complete gait phase detection and prediction data processing pipeline.
- Cleaned and preprocessed raw EMG data, extracted features, and trained ANN models for multi-class gait phase classification.
- Investigated and significantly improved model generalization across different locomotion patterns (level walking and stair ambulation).
Sep 2025 – Dec 2025
Flexible Electronics & Additive Printing Lab, UW–Madison
Research Assistant · Prof. Hantang Qin
EHD Printing — 3D Model Building, Scanning & Pattern Projection
- Designed continuously curving 3D models in SolidWorks and completed high-precision 3D scanning at 0.10 mm accuracy.
- Mapped 2D patterns onto irregular 3D surfaces in Blender; resampled machining trajectories to maintain 1 mm point spacing for precise EHD-printing control.
News
- [Sep 2026] Started my MS in Computer Engineering at Northwestern University.
- [Apr 2026] Our paper "Exploring the Correlation Between Level Walking and Stair Ambulation for Fine-Grained Gait Phase Prediction" has been accepted to ICCA 2026.
- [2026] Paper "Cross-Locomotion Task Generalization in sEMG-Based Gait Phase Prediction Using ANNs" accepted to AIACT 2026.
- [Nov 2025] Our team received the National 2nd Prize at the 19th "Challenge Cup" AI+ Special Competition.
- [Sep 2025] Started exchange semester at University of Wisconsin–Madison, Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering.
- [2024] Paper "Gait Phase Detection and Prediction with Machine Learning Models Based on sEMG" published at AIHCIR 2024.
- [Aug 2024] Received Provincial 1st Prize at the 19th National Intelligent Vehicle Competition (iFLYTEK Track).
Publications
2026
Exploring the Correlation Between Level Walking and Stair Ambulation for Fine-Grained Gait Phase Prediction
2026 IEEE 20th International Conference on Control and Automation (ICCA), pp. 1742–1747
@inproceedings{sun2026exploring,
title = {{Exploring the Correlation Between Level Walking and Stair Ambulation for Fine-Grained Gait Phase Prediction}},
author = {Sun, Y. and Li, X. and Ma, C. and Ma, X. and Zhang, H.},
booktitle = {2026 IEEE 20th International Conference on Control and Automation (ICCA)},
pages = {1742--1747},
year = {2026},
publisher = {IEEE},
doi = {10.1109/ICCA69928.2026.11618012}
}Cross-Locomotion Task Generalization in sEMG-Based Gait Phase Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks
2026 10th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Control Technologies (AIACT), pp. 77–81
@inproceedings{sun2026cross,
title = {{Cross-Locomotion Task Generalization in sEMG-Based Gait Phase Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks}},
author = {Sun, Y. and Wan, H. and Li, X. and Zhang, F. and Wu, W. and Zhang, H.},
booktitle = {2026 10th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Control Technologies (AIACT)},
pages = {77--81},
year = {2026},
publisher = {ACM},
doi = {10.1145/3795496.3795717}
}2024
Gait Phase Detection and Prediction with Machine Learning Models Based on sEMG
2024 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction and Robotics (AIHCIR), pp. 324–330
@inproceedings{sun2024gait,
title = {{Gait Phase Detection and Prediction with Machine Learning Models Based on sEMG}},
author = {Sun, Y. and Wang, J. and Wang, Z. and Li, J. and Li, Y. and Song, R. and Zhang, H.},
booktitle = {2024 3rd International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction and Robotics (AIHCIR)},
pages = {324--330},
year = {2024},
publisher = {IEEE},
doi = {10.1109/AIHCIR65563.2024.00061}
}Projects
Humanoid Robot Control for Warehouse Scenarios
★ National 2nd Prize
Built a Docker-based simulation environment and developed upper-level control algorithms enabling a humanoid robot's dexterous hand to perform object grasping and mobile manipulation planning for warehouse logistics tasks.
Intelligent Quadruped Robot — Webots Simulation & Motion Control
Implemented stair-climbing pose transformation and motion control in an Ubuntu + Webots environment. Designed LiDAR- and camera-fused line-tracking and obstacle avoidance algorithms achieving high-speed stable navigation.
Visual Recognition & Vehicle Motion Control Algorithm
★ Provincial 1st Prize
Developed OpenCV-based track recognition with curve-type classification and adaptive steering control. Integrated ROS with PID control algorithms to achieve high-speed, stable navigation across varied track configurations.
Awards & Honors
- National 2nd Prize — 19th "Challenge Cup" AI+ Special Competition2025
- Provincial 1st Prize — 19th National Intelligent Vehicle Competition (iFLYTEK Track)2024
- Outstanding Innovation & Entrepreneurship Individual, Shandong University2023
- Entrepreneurship Practice Scholarship, Shandong University2023
- Advanced Individual in Social Practice, Shandong University2023
Skills
Programming
Python, C/C++, R, MATLAB, Wolfram
Machine Learning & Signal Processing
PyTorch, ANN, CNN, SVM, KNN, sEMG signal processing & feature extraction
Tools & Frameworks
ROS, OpenCV, Webots, Docker, SolidWorks, Blender, COMSOL Multiphysics, Tableau
Contact
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA