While model-based control provides theoretical guarantees for bipedal locomotion, it often requires accurate system models and can struggle with unmodeled dynamics and environmental uncertainties. Our research bridges this gap by developing hybrid approaches that combine the formal stability guarantees from control theory with the adaptive capabilities of machine learning. By integrating learning with model-based control, we develop bipedal locomotion controllers that are both theoretically sound and practically effective, capable of adapting to real-world complexities while maintaining the safety and stability guarantees necessary for assistive devices.

There is one open position on this project starting from summer 2026. If you’re interested, send Xiaoyu an email and cc Prof.Tucker according to the guidlines found on the join page.