Ci-Jyun Polar Liang

Ci-Jyun Polar Liang

Assistant Professor (Jan 2024)

Stony Brook University

Director

CROSS Lab

Biography

Polar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Stony Brook University. His research interests include human-robot collaboration, computer vision, reinforcement learning, building information modeling (BIM), digital twins, and extended reality to promote sustainability and safety in future robotized workplaces such as construction sites, manufacturing plants, and warehouses. His current research involves (1) developing a computer vision and sensor fusion system for identifying safety hazards in human-robot collaboration, (2) developing collaborative robots, extended reality, and imitation learning algorithms for sustainable construction and built environments, (3) investigating reinforcement learning methods, BIM, and digital twins for closing sim-to-real gaps in unstructured construction environments. Prior to joining SBU, he was a Robotics Fellow in the Division of Safety Research at National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Interests

  • Robotics
  • Computer Vision
  • Reinforcement Learning
  • BIM and Digital Twins
  • Extended Reality (XR)

Education

  • Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2021

    University of Michigan

  • M.S. in Robotics, 2017

    University of Michigan

  • M.S. in Civil Engineering, 2015

    National Taiwan University

  • B.S. in Civil Engineering, 2012

    National Taiwan University

Projects

Teaching robots to perform construction tasks through demonstration

Apply Learning from Demonstration method to teach construction robots.

Vision-based pose estimation for construction robots

Develop a vision-based DNN pose estimation system.

ARCT: AR for Clinical Training

Develop an AR stroke simulation for clinical training.

RAS: Robotic Assembly System for Steel Structure

RAS, a robotic assembly system for steel structure, remove workers from high places and perform steel beam assembly tasks semi-automatically.

Sky Classroom: Global Team Project and Virtual BIM Reviewer

Global construction collaboration course taught between seven universities using BIM and online collaboration platform.

BotBeep: Warning Device for Wheelchair Rearward Safety

BotBeep, an innovative and low-cost device, was developed to warn the user of elevation changes behind the wheelchair.