Kit-Wa Sou
Ph.D. Candidate, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI)
Data Science & Information Technology (0812J3) · Expected Graduation: Dec 2025
Research areas: multimodal robotic perception, visuotactile sensing, human–robot interaction.
Focus on fusing vision and touch to improve perception fidelity and responsiveness in complex, collaborative tasks; emphasize safety, accuracy, and real-time interaction.
Advisor: Prof. Wenbo Ding (ssr-group.net)
Email: sou350121 at gmail dot com
G. Scholar
LinkedIn
Github
📚 Research Work Details
Detailed introduction to my research work including MoiréTac, UltraTac, Mechanoluminescent Sensor, and FlexLock projects. View details →
MoiréTac: A Dual-Mode Visuotactile Sensor for Multidimensional Perception Using Moiré Pattern Amplification
Sou K-W, Gong J, Shoujie Li, Chuqiao Lyu, Ziwu Song, Shilong Mu, Wenbo Ding
IEEE ICRA, 2026 (accepted) · arXiv:2509.12714
[arXiv]
Vision-through-contact plus continuous tactile field via moiré amplification; supports multi-DoF force/pose estimation and pre-grasp cues.
FlexLock: Bionic Snake-Inspired Variable-Stiffness Flexible Robotic Arm
Li S, Liang H, Sou K-W, et al.
Cyborg and Bionic Systems, under review (SCI Q1)
SMA and particle-jamming inspired stiffness modulation for safe HRI and high-load manipulation.
A Bio-Inspired Event-Driven Mechanoluminescent Visuotactile Sensor for Intelligent Interactions
Sou K-W, Wang-Sing Chan, Kai-Chong Lei, Zihan Wang*, Shoujie Li, Dengfeng Peng*, Wenbo Ding*
Advanced Functional Materials, 2024/2025: 2420872
DOI
Event-driven mechanoluminescent sensing with low power and strong ambient-light immunity; validated for HRI on a quadruped platform.
UltraTac: Integrated Ultrasound-Augmented Visuotactile Sensor for Enhanced Robotic Perception
Junhao Gong, Sou K-W, Shoujie Li, Changqing Guo, Yan Huang, Chuqiao Lyu, Ziwu Song, Wenbo Ding
IEEE/RSJ IROS, 2025 (accepted)
arXiv
A Hybrid Wind and Raindrop Energy Harvesting Operating on Savonius Turbine
Sou K-W, Lin Z, Jin Y, Siqi Ping, Wenbo Ding, Jiyu Wang
Nano Energy, 2024: 109746 (Cover Article)
DOI
Hybrid wind/raindrop energy harvester (Savonius + TENG) for self-powered sensing and edge devices in harsh scenarios.
MoDex: Planning High-Dimensional Dexterous Control via Learning Neural Hand Models
T Wu, S Li, C Lyu, KW Sou, WS Chan, W Ding
arXiv e-prints, arXiv: 2409.10983
arXiv
SATac: A Thermoluminescence Enabled Tactile Sensor for Concurrent Perception of Temperature, Pressure, and Shear
Ziwu Song, Ran Yu, Xuan Zhang, Sou K-W, Shilong Mu, Dengfeng Peng, Xiao-Ping Zhang, Wenbo Ding
IEEE ICRA, 2024
DOI
WSTac: Interactive Surface Perception Based on Whisker-Inspired and Self-Illuminated Vision-Based Tactile Sensor
Kai-Chong Lei, Sou K-W, Wang-Sing Chan, Jiayi Yan, Siqi Ping, Dengfeng Peng, Wenbo Ding, Xiao-Ping Zhang
Adjunct Proc. ACM UbiComp & ISWC, 2023: 736–742
DOI
Tsinghua University — Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), China
2021 – 2025
Ph.D. in Data Science & Information Technology
Advisor: Prof. Wenbo Ding (ssr-group.net)
Research Focus: Multimodal robotic perception, visuotactile sensing, hardware-software integration
• Multimodal sensor fusion for enhanced perception in dynamic human-robot collaboration
• Signal processing expertise (FFT/filtering/estimation) → time-series modeling & feature engineering
• End-to-end system development: sensor design to closed-loop robot control
Tsinghua University — Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), China
2018 – 2021
M.S. in Data Science & Information Technology
Advisor: Prof. Xiaohao Wang
Research Focus: Sensing systems
Completed application and completion of the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund project: Vertical Motorcycle Parking System.
National Chiao Tung University (NCTU, now NYCU) — College of ECE
2014 – 2018
B.S. in Photonics Engineering
Advisor: Prof. Chung-Hao Tien
Average: 92.47/100 | GPA: 4.21/4.30 | Rank: 1/40
Recipient of Chu Shun-I Zyxel Academic Excellence Scholarship (Top scholarship, 10 recipients university-wide annually)
Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore
Exchange Student Program
Department of Electrical Engineering
🏆 Awards & Honors
🏅 2025 — Tsinghua University Graduate Scholarship for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Students — First Prize
🏅 2025 — Ultrasound-Enhanced Tactile Sensor Patent Granted CN120352054B
🏅 2015-2024 — Macao SAR Higher Education Fund Graduate Scholarship
🏅 2018 — Chu Shun-I Zyxel Academic Excellence Scholarship Top scholarship, 10 recipients university-wide annually
🏅 2014-2018 — NCTU Academic Achievement Award top 5%
🏅 2018 — Accton Excellence Scholarship; Phison Electronics Scholarship
🏆 2023 — Tsinghua Craftsman Competition — Team Nomination Award Engineering Practice & Innovation
🏆 2020 — "Internet+" Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition — Silver HK/Macao/Taiwan track
🏆 2020 — HKUST H² Innovation Challenge — Champion & Most Innovative Award
2025
🎓 PhD Defence passed successfully!2026
MoiréTac paper accepted to IEEE ICRA 20262025
Ultrasound-Enhanced Tactile Sensor Patent Granted (CN120352054B)2025
UltraTac paper accepted to IEEE/RSJ IROS 20252024
AEM paper accepted: A Bio-Inspired Event-Driven Mechanoluminescent Visuotactile Sensor for Intelligent Interactions. Advanced Functional Materials, 2024/2025: 2420872.
2024
Nano Energy paper published as Cover Article (Hybrid wind/raindrop energy harvesting)Teaching Assistant
- MEMS and Applications, Tsinghua University 2021
- Microsensors, Tsinghua University 2021
- Graduate English (Spring), Tsinghua University 2021
- Graduate English (Fall), Tsinghua University 2020
Reviewer
- ICRA 2026; UbiComp 2024/2025; Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 2025; Chemical Engineering Journal
Tencent — CSIG Cloud & Smart Industries
Cloud Solutions (Intern)
2020.07 – 2021.01
- Cloud architecture for smart-education scenarios, remote collaboration, and data platforms; industry–academia collaboration
- Tencent Cloud TCP / Ops TCA certifications
Ping An Group — Data Analytics
Project Analytics Intern
2019.08 – 2019.11
- Data cleaning/modeling/visualization on thousands of participants; authored quantitative evaluation reports for program optimization
- Supported STEM education CSR program (won 2020 CSR China Education Award)
Vertical Motorcycle Parking System
Macao FDCT · 2019–2021 · PI Project No.: 0004/2019/ASC
"Lift + lateral transfer" structure with multi-sensor fusion (vision/tactile/position), scheduling control, and remote monitoring; verified tight-space alignment, anti-drop safeguards, and human–vehicle isolation; delivered a high-density, small-footprint automated storage solution.
High-Resolution Multimodal Tactile Sensing Beyond Human Perception
SZSTI · 2023 · Core Contributor
System design and optimization for visuotactile sensors, targeting key challenges in robotic perception and HRI; advanced multimodal sensing and feedback for deployable applications.
🔧 Hardware & Prototyping
SolidWorks/CAD, 3D printing, flexible electronics, laser cutting
Robot arm/gripper integration, MCU development, motor drivers
💻 Software & Tools
Python, PyTorch, Linux, ROS, SSH, Figma (all graphics and slides)
Cloud services: cloud architecture design, platform solutions, infrastructure deployment and management
LLM-assisted development: MCP (Model Context Protocol) integration, multi-agent systems, AI-powered code generation & refactoring, automated debugging
⚗️ Materials & Fabrication
PDMS/elastomers, electrode deposition, micro-structured surfaces
Mechanoluminescent composites, triboelectric devices, SMA structures
🧮 Algorithms & Modeling
Signal processing, COMSOL multiphysics, state estimation (KF/EKF)
Planning/control (MPC, trajectory optimization), deep learning
🌐 Languages
English (working proficiency; IELTS 7.0; GRE 319)
Mandarin (near-native), Cantonese (native), Portuguese (basic), Japanese (basic)
🎯 Hobbies
💪 Regular fitness training
💰 Financial investment
🏀 Basketball
🍽️ Food & Dining
📷 Photography & Aesthetic cultivation
⚡ Productivity tools & workflow optimization
📝 Blog & Updates
Random updates, thoughts, and photos.
🎉 MoiréTac Accepted to IEEE ICRA 2026
February 2026
My MoiréTac paper has been accepted to IEEE ICRA 2026! It introduces a dual-mode visuotactile sensor based on moiré pattern amplification for multi-dimensional contact perception. arXiv · Research details
🎓 PhD Defence - A Milestone Achievement
December 2025
🤖 IROS 2025 Hangzhou - Conference Trip with Lab Members
October 2025
