Yang Yang 杨洋

Hello! My name is Yang Yang. I am a first-year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at University of Southern California (USC), advised by Prof. Hangbo Zhao. Prior to that, I obtained my B.ENG degree with Honors in Mechanics from Sichuan University (SCU) in 2025. I was fortunate to work with Professors Hongliang Ren, Wenbo Ding, Daolin Ma and Hong Zhang.


My research interests are in Soft Robotics, Mechanics and Sensors. They encompass tactile sensing, computational mechanics, and multi-model sensors. I am particularly interested in the design of new types of sensors and their application in soft robotics. My goal is to push robots to approach or even exceed human-level sensing capabilities, and finally achieve human-level dexterity.


If you are interested in anything about me, please feel free to contact me at: yyang672@usc.edu

CV     Google Scholar     LinkedIn     Email    

[Aug 2025] Our Paper on Vision-based Tactile Sensor was accepted by International Conference on Biomimetic Intelligence and Robotics (ICBIR) 2025.
[Jun 2025] I graduated from Sichuan University with a Honor B.ENG. degree in Mechanics!
[May 2025] I was awarded the Top 100 Students of Sichuan University.
[Apr 2025] Our Paper on Smart Tire was accepted by IEEE Transactions on Mechatronics (TMech).
[Jan 2025] Our Paper on FBG-based sensor was accepted by IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) 2025. See you in Atlanta!
[Oct 2024] Our Paper on Machine-learning and Finite Element Method on Plasticity Model was accepted by Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance (JMEP).
[Jun 2024] Our Paper on Deep learning for Fatigue Life Prediction was accepted by Engineering Fracture Mechanics (EFM).

🎓 Internships

📚 Teaching Assistant

  • Structural Mechanics, Sichuan University, Spring 2024

🏆 Selected Honors

  • USC Viterbi School of Engineering Graduate School Fellowship, 2025
  • Top 100 undergrad Students of Sichuan University, 2025
  • Second Prize of Academic Scholarship at Sichuan University, 2024
  • First Prize of Sichuan Mechanics Competition Individual Race, 2023
  • First Prize of Sichuan Mechanics Competition Group Race (Leader), 2023
  • First Prize of Academic Scholarship at Sichuan University, 2023
  • Outstanding Students of Sichuan University, 2023

Conformable Vision-Based Tactile Sensor with Enhanced Soft Elastomer Design for Palpating Irregular Anatomical Surfaces

Yang Yang, Tao Zhang, Yupeng Wang, Wenchao Yue, Tangyou Liu, Hongliang Ren
International Conference on Biomimetic Intelligence and Robotics (ICBIR) 2025 (Accepted)

Vitire: A Bimodel Visuotactile Tire with High-Resolution Sensing Capability

Shoujie Li†, Jianle Xu†, Tong Wu, Yang Yang, Yanbo Chen, Xueqian Wang, Wenbo Ding, Xiao-ping Zhang († indicates contribute equally)
IEEE Transactions on Mechatronics
Webpage | PDF

Three-dimension Tip Force Perception and Axial Contact Location Identification for Flexible Endoscopes using Tissue-compliant Soft Distal Attachment Cap Sensors

Tao Zhang†, Yang Yang†, Yang Yang, Huxin Gao, Jiewen Lai, Hongliang Ren († indicates contribute equally)
International Conference on Robotics & Automation (ICRA) 2025
Webpage | PDF

Machine-learning and finite element-based temperature- and rate-dependent plasticity model: application to the tensile behaviour on MarBN steel

Bo Zhang, Yang Yang, Hao Wu, Yida Zhang, Quanyi Wang, Hong Zhang, Yongjie Liu, Qingyuan Wang
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance
Webpage | PDF

A deep learning approach for low-cycle fatigue life prediction under thermal-mechanical loading based on a novel neural network model

Yang Yang, Bo Zhang, Hao Wu, Yida Zhang, Hong Zhang, Yongjie Liu, Qingyuan Wang
Engineering Fracture Mechanics
Webpage | PDF

I am keeping pursuing and trying both in research and life.

Here are various activities I do in my free time:

  • 🎵 Music (Pop music, C-pop, Hip-hop, K-pop, Rock, Country, Folk)
  • 🏀 Ball games (Basketball, Billiards, Tennis...)
  • ✈️ Traveling
  • 🥾 Hiking
  • 🎤 Cross Talk
  • 🎩 Magic
  • 🚶 Strolling around


Feel free to chat with me!