Ding Zhao
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Courtesy Appointment, Computer Science Department, Robotics Institute
Ding Zhao is an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He is also associated with the Computer Science Department, Robotics Institute, CyLab Security & Privacy Institute, and Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. He is a visiting researcher at Google Brain/Robotics. Leading the CMU Safe AI Laboratory, Zhao aims to create trustworthy AI that is robust, safe, generalizable as well as explainable, verifiable, and human-centric. His long-term goal is to develop fundamental theories and practical technologies to safely deploy AI to address some of the world's most pressing problems.
Zhao is recognized nationally and internationally for his research on trustworthy AI, with applications in intelligent autonomy and healthcare. He is the recipient of the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, George Tallman Ladd Research Award, MIT Technology Review 35 under 35 China Award, Ford University Collaboration Award, Carnegie-Bosch Research Award, Struminger Teaching Award, and industrial fellowship awards from Adobe, Bosch, and Toyota. He worked with leading industrial partners, including Google Brain, Amazon, Ford, Uber, IBM, Adobe, Bosch, Toyota, and Rolls-Royce.
USDOT 2022 Cybersecurity Forum
Making AI Safer for Autonomous Vehicles
Education
2016 Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan
2010 BS, Automotive Engineering, Jilin University
Affiliations
Media mentions
Carnegie Mellon University
CMU’s Safety21 leads inaugural Future of Transportation Summit
Transportation safety experts from CMU’s Safety21 partnered with the DOT’s University Transportation Centers to lead the inaugural Future of Transportation Summit in Washington D.C. from August 13th-15th. CMU faculty showcased their research and innovations with the goal of improving transportation safety.
Forbes
Zhao weighs in on whether AI will be able to act without human oversight
MechE’s Ding Zhao spoke with Forbes about the roles humans will play in overseeing AI output in many industries.
Carnegie Mellon University
Zhao demonstrates LocoMan at landslide site
The dog-like robot, already known for helping around the house, can climb steep hillsides and use its paws to place sensors on difficult terrain, making landslide monitoring safer for humans.
PYMNTS
Zhao quoted on humanoid robots for retail
MechE's Ding Zhao was quoted in an article by PYMNTS about the most effective ways to automate industry.
CMU Engineering
Trustworthy artificial intelligence for the greater good
MechE’s Ding Zhao trains students to enhance the affordability, reliability, and inclusivity of AI through the Trustworthy AI Autonomy course.
CMU Engineering
New course harnesses AI to kindle creativity
New course, AI for Humanities, offers a unique perspective on how AI can revolutionize our perception and interaction with creative expressions.
CMU Engineering
Manipulation technology makes home-helper robot possible
New locomotion and manipulation technology from Ding Zhao’s lab will enable four-legged robots to lend a hand in the not-so-distant future.
Popular Science
Zhao quoted on the applications of humanoid robots
MechE’s Ding Zhao was quoted in an article in Popular Science about possible uses for humanoid robots and their capabilities.
CMU Engineering
RoboTool enables creative tool use in—you guessed it—robots
Large language models enable robots to “brainstorm” creative tool use and perform seemingly impossible tasks.
CMU Engineering
2023 Dean’s Early Career Fellows announced
Xi (Charlie) Ren, Victoria Webster-Wood, and Ding Zhao have received the honor for their contributions to their respective fields.
CMU Engineering
Driving autonomy into the metaverse
Students in Ding Zhao’s lab were awarded the 2022 Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship for their proposal to generate diverse safety-critical autonomous vehicle scenarios using digital twins.
Lifewire
Zhao quoted on reducing emissions using AI
MechE’s Ding Zhao was quoted by Lifewire on the potential impact of self-driving cars, delivery robots, and drones on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.