Hello, I'm Athena.
A
Self-driven, quick starter, passionate student leader with exceptional personal endeavour.
About
I am an MPhil student specializing in unmanned aerial systems and soft robotics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. I am affiliated with the High-speed Thermo-fluid and MAV/UAV Laboratory (AIRo Lab) at the Research Centre for Unmanned Autonomous Systems (RCUAS), led by Prof. Chih‐yung WEN and Dr. Li‐ta HSU. Additionally, I am under co‐supervision by Dr Henry K. CHU, focusing on the field of soft robotics. I am expected to conduct my Viva in November or December 2024.
My passion lies in robotics, and I am dedicated to exploring and researching new technologies in this field. Currently, I am passionate about developing soft unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that solve real-world issues. With my MPhil thesis titled "Design and Control of a Soft Aerial Vehicle for Conducting Aerial Grasping," I am currently engaged in research on autonomous unmanned aerial grasping with a pneumatic soft gripper for applications such as search and rescue, environmental cleaning, and harvesting. The primary focus of my research is to ensure the safety of goods during aerial grasping operations and to enhance flight efficiency. To enhance the precision of the proposed soft aerial vehicle, I am implementing model predictive control (MPC) for autonomous aerial grasping, utilizing an indoor motion capture system to minimize tracking errors.
- Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin
- CAD & CFD: AutoCAD, CorelDRAW, Fusion 360, SOLIDWORKS, Ansys Fluent
- Programming languages, libraries, and frameworks: Arduino, C++, Python, ROS, OpenCV, ArduPilot, PX4, TensorFlow
Looking for an opportunity to work in a challenging PhD position combining my skills in robotics, which provides professional development, interesting experiences, and personal growth.
Experience
- Has associated with the research project “Research Centre for Unmanned Autonomous Systems” (l -CE55) (P0046487).
- Providing technical support for 3D printing.
- Providing technical support for mechatronics design.
- Tools: ArduPilot, C++, Python, PX4, SOLIDWORKS, Arduino
- Provided technical support for 3D printing.
- Designed the mechanical structure of products and drawing the 3D CAD drawings.
- Tools: SOLIDWORKS, Arduino
- Has associated with the research project “Research Centre for Unmanned Autonomous Systems” (l -CE55) (P0046487).
- Provided technical support for composite manufacturing (Carbon fiber airframes).
- Provided technical support for 3D printing.
- Tools: C++, Python, ArduPilot, PX4, SOLIDWORKS, Arduino
- Joined one of the existing start-up teams, which is focusing on construction robots.
- Designed the mechanical structure of products and drawing the 3D CAD drawings.
- Tools: SOLIDWORKS, Arduino
- Contributed to a project for the development of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Air Quality Monitoring in the Greater Bay Area.
- Designed the mechanical structure of a movable landing platform for UAVs and controlled its movement with Arduino programming.
- Tools: SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, ArduPilot, PX4, Arduino
- Automated pick-and-place task with object recognition using deep learning.
- Applied vision-based control for a robot arm (UR5) and conducted system calibration to ensure precise control.
- Incorporated deep learning techniques, specifically Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), for grasping random objects.
- Tools: Python, Tensorflow, OpenCV, Google Colab
- Led students to participate in the International Robotic Olympiad 2019.
- Taught students how to use CAD (Computer Aided Drawing) (2D: CorelDRAW and 3D: SolidWorks). Taught students how to build robots with motors and servo motors.
- Tools: SOLIDWORKS, CorelDRAW
Services & Extra-curricular Activities
Judge
- Apr 2018 – Current
- Demonstrated judgment in the Hong Kong Robotic Olympiad and the International Robotic Olympiad [link]
- Tutoring in InnoTech Workshops in InnoCarnival (since 2013)
- Contributed to the preparation and event follow-ups
HK Young Ambassador
- Oct 2016 – May 2021
- Contributing voluntary service (local service to promote Hong Kong tourism) [photos]
- Helped in Tourism Promotional Events (e.g. 2019 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade, Hong Kong Well-wishing Festival, etc.)
Teammate
- Sep 2019 – Aug 2022
- Had been prepared for UAV Challenge – Medical Rescue:
- A mechanical structure was designed to release a ground vehicle from a fixed-wing VTOL
- Developed a geofence system design for the fixed-wing VTOL
- Built a fixed-wing VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle with postgraduate teammates (Mini Talon, starts from 00:57-01:50)
- Designed the mechanical structure of UAVs
Vice President (Executive)
- Aug 2018 – Sep 2020
- Leading the team of Academic & Development Committee to plan and organize a Peer to Peer Programme (P2P X STEM) for all students in primary schools and secondary schools in Hong Kong
- Contacting with other student leaders and teachers for promoting P2P X STEM
- Sharing personal experience on STEM (robotics) in P2P X STEM [photos]
Leader of the Team, Crimson
Publication
Conference
- H. C. Cheung, C.-W. Chang, B. Jiang, C.-Y. Wen, and H. K. Chu, "A modular pneumatic soft gripper design for aerial grasping and landing," 2024 IEEE 7th International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft)), San Diego, CA, USA, 2024, pp. 82-88, doi: 10.1109/RoboSoft60065.2024.10521918. [link] [video]
Media
News articles
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Exceptional personal endeavour (Ming Pao, Jul 2018 - Aug 2018)
- Motivated by my resolute determination to pursue a career in engineering, I successfully overcame childhood illness and the obstacle of hearing loss, which shattered my aspirations of becoming a pilot. Despite encountering personal challenges, including my father's hospitalization due to a stroke the day before the pivotal HKDSE Examination, I persevered and achieved satisfactory results, providing me with the opportunity to pursue engineering studies at my preferred university. [link] (In Traditional Chinese)
- Following up on the previous news articles, I ultimately obtained admission to PolyU Mechanical Engineering. [link] (In Traditional Chinese) -
2016 Hong Kong Top 10 Outstanding Teens Award (Wen Wei Po, Jun 2016)
- List of 2016 Hong Kong Top 10 Outstanding Teens Award [link] (In Traditional Chinese)
- Despite being diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss, I persevered and adapted my aspirations, excelling in robotics competitions and earning recognition as one of Hong Kong's Top 10 Outstanding Teens. [link] (In Traditional Chinese)
Education
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong
Degree: Master of Philosophy
- Satellite Communication and Navigation
- Mathematics And Computational Methods For Aviation Engineering Applications
- PolyU CubeSat Mission - Space Debris Removal (Feb to Apr 2023): mentored secondary students to finish their CubeSat and final presentation. [link]
- Astron: Space Lab - STEM programme (Nov to Dec 2023): mentoring secondary students to utilize Python programming and computer vision techniques to calculate the velocity of the International Space Station. [link]
Relevant Coursework:
Relevant TA duty:
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong
Degree: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering
- Artificial Intelligence in Products
- Engineering Design
- Linear System and Control
- Computer Programming
- Engineering Management
- PolyU Junior Research Mentoring Programme (May to Aug 2021): mentored secondary students to guide and encourage them in their exploration of research opportunities. [link]
Relevant Coursework:
Relevant Volunteer Activity: