BIOGRAPHY

Professor Chenguang (Charlie) Yang holds the Chair in Robotics with Department of Computer Science, University of Liverpool, UK. He is leading the Robotics and Autonomous Systems group. He was a Professor of Robotics with University of the West of England, Bristol, leading Robot Teleoperation Group at Bristol Robotics Laboratory. He is a member of European Academy of Sciences and Arts, and holds fellowships of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET), Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), Aisa-Pacific AI Association (AAIA), and British Computer Society (BCS). He was awarded EPSRC Innovation Fellowship (2018-21) and EU FP-7 Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship grant (2011-13). As the lead author, he received the prestigious IEEE Transactions on Robotics Best Paper Award (2012) and IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems Outstanding Paper Award (2022).

IEEE ACTIVITIES

COMMITTEES/BOARDS:

• Corresponding Co-Chair, Technical Committee on Collaborative Automation for Flexible Manufacturing (CAFM), IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, from 2021
• Elected Member-at-Large, Board of Governors, IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society (SMC), 2023-2025
• Elected Administrative Committee Voting Member, Board of Governors, IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES), 2023-2025

REGIONS: 8

SOCIETY: RAS, IES, SMC

CONFERENCES:

• General co-chair, IEEE International Conference on Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics (ICARM), 1-3 Aug 2025, Portsmouth, UK
• General Chair, The 25th IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT), 25-27 March 2024, Bristol, UK
• Student Activities Chair, The IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC), October 1–4, 2023, Maui, Hawaii, US.

QUALIFICATIONS

I was elevated to be an IEEE Fellow for contributions to control and learning of mechatronic systems, especially robotic systems. As the lead author, I received the prestigious IEEE Transactions on Robotics Best Paper Award (2012) and IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks and Learning Systems Outstanding Paper Award (2022).

I am the Head of Robotics and Autonomous Systems Group at University of Liverpool and I was leading Robot Teleoperation Group at Bristol Robotics Laboratory. I am the Corresponding Co-Chair of RAS’ Technical Committee on Collaborative Automation for Flexible Manufacturing, and previously I served as President of the Chinese Automation and Computing Society in the UK (CACSUK).

I have played an active role at RAS and have served as Associate Editor of both ICRA and IROS. Currently, I am a Senior Editor of IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, and previously I served as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Robotics from 2020 to 2024.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Board of Governor Service:

I have served as an elected AdCom member for both SMC and IES, from 2023 to 2025

• Editorial Service:

I have served in the editorial board of RAS related journals, including IEEE Transactions on Robotics, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering and IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics.

• Conference Service:

As the general Chair, I have organized the IEEE fully sponsored the 25th IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology, as well as a number of IEEE technically co-sponsored conferences such as the 27th International Conference on Automation and Computing and 2025 IEEE International Conference on Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics.

• Technical Activities:

Serving as the corresponding Co-Chair of the IEEE RAS Technical Committee on Collaborative Automation for Flexible Manufacturing, I have actively supported numerous workshops, summer schools and various technical activities.

• Promotion of IEEE:

As the former President of the Chinese Automation and Computing Society in the UK (CACSUK), I have promoted collaboration with IEEE, especially with RAS. CACSUK’s annual conference has been technically co-sponsored by RAS since my presidency.

POSITION STATEMENT

In today’s rapidly evolving society, the need for a more diverse, intelligent, and forward-looking robotics and automation community is more urgent than ever. Robotics and AI now plays a central role in addressing some of the most pressing global challenges—from aging populations and labor shortages to the integration of the intelligent systems in healthcare, manufacturing, and our daily life. As robotics continues to converge with computer science, medicine, and human-centered industry, our community must grow not only in technical excellence but also in cultural sensitivity and ethical responsibility.

To effectively address these challenges, we must adopt a holistic mindset that values interdisciplinary knowledge and global perspectives. Robotics solutions must be not only technically robust but also ethically sound, socially aware, and adaptable to diverse contexts—especially in the era of rapid advancements in AI. This transformation requires increased collaboration across engineering, medical sciences, and the social sciences to ensure that the systems we design are intelligent, inclusive, and beneficial to humanity as a whole.

This vision strongly aligns with my aspirations for serving as an AdCom member of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society. RAS’s mission to foster the development and facilitate the exchange of scientific and technological knowledge that benefits members, the profession, and society reflects my own values. If elected, I will be committed to supporting this mission by promoting a culture of collaboration, openness, and inclusion within RAS. I aim to help create spaces where diverse voices and emerging talents are not only welcomed but empowered—ensuring that RAS remains a vibrant, globally respected organization.

I believe in cultivating a transcultural and multilingual leadership style—one that respects local research traditions while fostering international cooperation. In this way, RAS can become a truly inclusive platform for members from all backgrounds, disciplines, and regions. I will prioritize mentorship, equitable access, and active participation across all RAS activities, particularly for early-career researchers and underrepresented communities, helping to build a stronger, more connected robotics community.

Aligned with RAS’s field of interest, I advocate for open data, knowledge sharing, and the support of open-source research work to enable the global collaboration in AI and robotics. I also support efforts to establish a shared world model for robotics to help standardize and accelerate foundational research across the field. My own work in robot learning, dexterous manipulation, and intelligent control systems directly contributes to these aims. I hope to bring my research experience to further advance both research innovations and real-world applications within the society.

I fully promot the IEEE RAS’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. I am dedicated to fostering an environment where all contributions are valued and recognized regardless of background. Through ethical innovation, inclusive leadership, and global collaboration, I believe IEEE RAS continues to shape a future where robotics and automation serve humanity in meaningful and transformative ways.