Yifan Xu is a Research Assistant Professor with the University of Tennessee–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute’s Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction Convergent Research Initiative. He is an independent researcher, collaborator, and mentor who welcomes undergraduate and graduate students interested in robotics, artificial intelligence, and the future of construction.  

His research focuses on developing intelligent robotic systems capable of perceiving, reasoning, learning, and physically interacting within complex and dynamic construction environments. His long-term goal is to create generalizable and collaborative robotic systems that can work safely alongside people, adapt to changing jobsite conditions, and address critical challenges related to productivity, safety, and workforce shortages. By connecting fundamental advances in artificial intelligence and robotics with real-world construction needs, his work seeks to bridge the gap between laboratory research and practical field deployment. 

He has published peer-reviewed research in leading robotics and construction-computing venues, including the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) and the ASCE Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering (JCCE). He also serves as a reviewer for journals and conferences organized by IEEE and ASCE.  For more information about his research and publications, please visit his personal website.

Education