Wei Zhang | Robotics and Automation | Breakthrough Research Award

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Prof. Dr. Wei Zhang | Robotics and Automation | Breakthrough Research Award

Doctor of Engineering, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, School of Aeronautical Engineering, Research Institute of Science and Technology, Civil Aviation University of China, China

Prof. Dr. Wei Zhang is a leading scholar in aviation ground operation safety, intelligent systems, and AI-driven mechanical dynamics. His research focuses on integrating robotics, artificial intelligence, and mechanical engineering to advance airport operational safety, efficiency, and equipment innovation. Over his career, Prof. Dr. Wei Zhang has authored 68 peer-reviewed journal articles and holds 17 patents, demonstrating significant scientific impact and contributions to both theoretical and applied civil aviation research. He has a Scopus h-index of 8 with 279 citations, reflecting the influence of his work in aviation engineering and intelligent systems. Prof. Dr. Wei Zhang’s key contributions span several areas of aviation technology. He has developed advanced algorithms for aircraft skin defect detection (FC-YOLO) and adaptive surface fitting of aircraft point clouds, enabling improved aircraft inspection and maintenance processes. In mechanical dynamics, he has performed in-depth modeling and vibration analysis of scissor-like lift mechanisms and flapping-wing micro air vehicles. He has also designed and optimized control strategies for towbarless aircraft taxiing, collision avoidance systems, and chassis suspension and vibration isolation for airport vehicles, bridging the gap between theory and practical application. His methodological expertise combines AI-based algorithm design, multi-scale feature fusion, predictive modeling, and nonlinear dynamics analysis. His recent high-impact publications include work on FC-YOLO for defect detection (Measurement Science and Technology, 2024), aircraft point cloud surface fitting (Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 2025), and vibration isolation performance of scissor-like structures (Nonlinear Dynamics, 2016). Prof. Dr. Wei Zhang’s research has been implemented in collaboration with major industry partners such as COMAC and Beijing Capital International Airport, leading to measurable improvements in aviation ground safety and operational efficiency. Through leadership in national and industry-funded projects, contributions to intelligent airport systems, and pioneering work in AI-enabled mechanical systems, Prof. Dr. Wei Zhang has established himself as a prominent figure in civil aviation research, advancing both scientific understanding and practical applications in autonomous ground vehicles, robotics, and airport equipment design.

Profile: Scopus | Google Scholar | ResearchGate | Sci Profiles

Featured Publications

  • Zhang, W., Xiong, A., & Zhang, B. (2026). Research on surface fitting technology for aircraft point cloud feature region based on adaptive complete natural segmentation. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 195, 105221.

  • Qin, J., Ma, J., Lin, Q., Wu, H., & Zhang, W. (2025). Model predictive control with real-time variable weight for civil aircraft towing taxi-out control systems. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering. Advance online publication.

  • Wang, X., Liu, J., & Zhang, W. (2025). A novel attitude-variable high acceleration motion planning method for the pallet-type airport baggage handling robot. Machines, 13(5), 343.

  • Huang, W., Xu, P., Zhao, T., Zhang, W., & Zhao, Y. (2025). Robust adaptive cascade trajectory tracking control for an aircraft towing and taxiing system. Actuators, 14(3), 105.

  • Xu, P., Huang, W., Zhao, T., Zhang, W., Lu, T., Qiang, G., Zhang, L., & Zhao, Y. (2025). Adaptive coordinated control for an under-actuated airplane–tractor system with parameter uncertainties. Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 62, 101938.