Prof. Xiaoqi CHEN,

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

• Prof XiaoQi Chen is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury. He graduated from South China University of Technology with BEng in Mechanical Engineering in 1984. He was a recipient of China-UK Technical Co-Operation Award for his MSc study in Materials Technology, Brunel University (1985 – 1986); and PhD study in Electrical Engineering, the University of Liverpool (1986 – 1989) • Prof Chen was Senior Research Assistant at Durham University (1989 – 1990), Research Fellow at Brunel University (1990-1992), and Research Fellow, Research Scientist and Senior Scientist at Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (1992-2006). In 1999, he led a research team that won the prestigious “Singapore National Technology Award” for their success in developing the first-its-kind robotic system for polishing and grinding distorted 3D aerofoils of High Pressure Turbine (HTP) vanes. Prof Chen joined the University of Canterbury as Director for Mechatronics Engineering in 2006. • Prof Chen was the founding Chair of IEEE Robotics and Automation New Zealand Chapter. He has served as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, Control and Intelligent Systems, and International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems. Prof Chen’s research interests cover mechatronics, mobile robotics, assistive device and technology. He has authored and co-authored over 250 referred publications, and authored and edited four books; and is co-inventor of 10 patents. His pioneering work on wall climbing robot led to a spin-off company Invert Robotics Limited which won 2012 New Zealand Ministry of Science and Innovation Start-Up Award. Prof Chen is Elected Fellow of Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) and Elected Fellow of Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME, USA).