Hello, I'm
Joshua Liu
Robotics research engineer with 10+ years of experience building medical and automation systems across teleoperation, sensing, and real-time control. I specialize in ROS2, robot integration, and turning complex prototypes into reliable systems.
/ Career
A brief overview of my career
Work Experience
Robotics Research Engineer
Institute of Integrative & Innovative Research, University of Arkansas
Led development of real-time autonomous and teleoperation systems, including integrating F/T sensing, 3D camera, AR/VR, and haptics device. Built ROS2 software framework, encompassing real-time sensing, navigation, planning, and control for high-precision applications.
Research Engineer
Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics, Johns Hopkins University
Implemented sensor fusion, improved system architecture, and migrated legacy code to the ROS2 framework, improving modularity and maintainability of multiple robotic systems.
Research Engineer
Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Automated and simulated the workflow for materials testing using Siemens PLC-controlled conveyor systems with multiple UR robots. Deployed the automation of the laser shock subsystem and supported the X-ray subsystem integration.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Laboratory of Biomechanical and Image Guided Surgical Systems, Johns Hopkins University
Developed robotic systems for spinal/hip surgery and designed capacitive shape sensors for dexterous continuum manipulators. Supported the medical imaging workflow for both image-guided orthopedic surgery and the development of a total-body photography system for skin lesion detection.
Robotics Summer Intern
BMW Group
Contributed to ROS framework development for a self-driving car research platform and created an RViz visualization plugin for laser radar sensors.
Robotics Research Engineer
Institute of Integrative & Innovative Research, University of Arkansas
Led development of real-time autonomous and teleoperation systems, including integrating F/T sensing, 3D camera, AR/VR, and haptics device. Built ROS2 software framework, encompassing real-time sensing, navigation, planning, and control for high-precision applications.
Research Engineer
Laboratory for Computational Sensing and Robotics, Johns Hopkins University
Implemented sensor fusion, improved system architecture, and migrated legacy code to the ROS2 framework, improving modularity and maintainability of multiple robotic systems.
Research Engineer
Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Automated and simulated the workflow for materials testing using Siemens PLC-controlled conveyor systems with multiple UR robots. Deployed the automation of the laser shock subsystem and supported the X-ray subsystem integration.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Laboratory of Biomechanical and Image Guided Surgical Systems, Johns Hopkins University
Developed robotic systems for spinal/hip surgery and designed capacitive shape sensors for dexterous continuum manipulators. Supported the medical imaging workflow for both image-guided orthopedic surgery and the development of a total-body photography system for skin lesion detection.
Robotics Summer Intern
BMW Group
Contributed to ROS framework development for a self-driving car research platform and created an RViz visualization plugin for laser radar sensors.
Education
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Johns Hopkins University
Advisor: Dr. Mehran Armand Designed and implemented robotic systems for neuroplastic surgery implant modification, including a 5-axis laser cutting system with full-stack development (mechanical design, ROS2 control, registration, toolpath optimization). Built a miniature optical tracking & projection mapping system using RGB-D camera. Developed an automated pipeline using designed reattachable fiducial markers for intraoperative patient-CT registration and implant modification.
Dissertation: Robotic Implant Modification for Neuroplastic SurgeryM.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering
Johns Hopkins University
Graduate studies focused on Robotics and Control Systems.
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Changsha University of Science and Technology
Undergraduate foundation in Mechanical Design and Mechatronics.
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering
Johns Hopkins University
Advisor: Dr. Mehran Armand Designed and implemented robotic systems for neuroplastic surgery implant modification, including a 5-axis laser cutting system with full-stack development (mechanical design, ROS2 control, registration, toolpath optimization). Built a miniature optical tracking & projection mapping system using RGB-D camera. Developed an automated pipeline using designed reattachable fiducial markers for intraoperative patient-CT registration and implant modification.
Dissertation: Robotic Implant Modification for Neuroplastic SurgeryM.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering
Johns Hopkins University
Graduate studies focused on Robotics and Control Systems.
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Changsha University of Science and Technology
Undergraduate foundation in Mechanical Design and Mechatronics.
/ Featured Projects
A selection of my projects, prototypes, and developed systems.
Robot Teleoperation for Ultrasound Scanning
Add timeframe (e.g., 2024 - 2025)
Built a real-time remote teleoperation system with haptic feedback for robot-assisted ultrasound scanning.
ROS2 Framework for Orthopedic Surgical Robotics
Add timeframe (e.g., 2023 - 2024)
Developed modular ROS2 components for navigation, sensing, and control in robot-assisted orthopedic surgery.
5-Axis Robotic Laser Cutting for Cranial Implants
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Designed and implemented a full robotic workflow including mechanical design, GUI, registration, and toolpath optimization for implant modification.
iECar: Controller Design of BLDC Motor for Electric Vehicles
2012 Fall - 2013 Spring
Designed and implemented a controller for a brushless DC motor used in electric vehicles, focusing on efficiency and performance.
/ Tech Stack
Breakdown of my technical skills, categorized by domain and proficiency
Robotics & Autonomy
Programming
Sensors & System Integration
Simulation
Engineering & Prototyping
/ Contact Me
Feel free to reach out. I'm currently looking for opportunities to transition into industries.