Assoc.Prof.Ronnapee Chaichaowarat, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
ronnapee.c@chula.ac.th

Profile Summary

Dr. Ronnapee Chaichaowarat is an Associate Professor at the International School of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University. He was a Postdoctoral Associate at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), during 2019 – 2020. Granted the Junior Science Talent Project (JSTP) Scholarship from the National Science and Technology Development Agency of Thailand, he received the B.Eng. (1st Class Hons.), M.Eng., and Ph.D., degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Chulalongkorn University in 2012, 2013, and 2015, respectively. Granted the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship, he received another Ph.D. degree in Bioengineering and Robotics from Tohoku University in 2018. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and serves as the Vice Chair of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) Thailand Chapter. He received the best paper award from the 1st International Symposium on Instrumentation, Control, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics (IEEE ICA-SYMP 2019). His research interests include compliant actuation, exoskeletons, physical human–robot interaction, rehabilitation robots, teleoperation, vehicle dynamics and control. Intelligent Robotics Laboratory (Ronnapee Lab) was established in 2021 to groom students, enhance research skills, encourage participation in international conferences, and publish high-quality papers.
 
 
Education
 
2015 – 2017       Ph.D. (Bioengineering and Robotics), Tohoku University,
                           Japan
                             Thesis:  Passive Knee Exoskeleton Systems for Cycling Assistance
                                        Advisor:  Distinguished Prof. Kazuhiro Kosuge, Ph.D. (IEEE Fellow)
 
2013 – 2014       Ph.D. (Mech. Eng.), Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
                                              Thesis:  Motion Analysis of a Planar Mobile Platform with Wheel Slip
​                                         Advisor:  Assoc. Prof. Witaya Wannasuphoprasit, Ph.D.
 
2012 – 2012       M. Eng. in Mech., Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
                                         Thesis: Dynamic Control for Steady State Drifting of RWD Vehicle
 
2008 – 2011       B. Eng. in Mech. (1st Class Honors),
                           Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
                           Research:  Tire Friction Model for Drifting Dynamics of a Scaled Vehicle
 
2005 – 2007       Mahidol Wittayanusorn School (MWIT), Thailand
 
 
Scholarships
 
2014 – 2018      Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship
                                             Granted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
 
2005 – 2014      Junior Science Talent Project (JSTP) Scholarship
                                              Granted by the National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand​
 
 
Course Taught
 
  • System Dynamics and Controls (2182430)
  • System Modeling and Vibration (2183324)
  • Dynamics (2183231)
  • Industrial Robot (2147308)
  • Engineering Project II (2184342)
 
 
Research Interests
 
  • Physical human–robot interaction & Compliant robots & Elastic actuators
  • Exoskeleton robots & Legged locomotion
  • Autonomous systems & Medical robots
  • Control of vehicle dynamics
 
Work Experience
 
2018 - Present    Associate Professor – International School of Engineering
                           (ISE), Chulalongkorn University
 
2019 – 2020       Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Mechanical
                           Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT),
                           MA, USA
                                         Research: Improving Forced-based Control for Physical Human-Robot Interaction
                              Principal Investigator: Hermano Igo Krebs, Ph.D. (IEEE Fellow)
 
 
Selected Journal Articles
 
  • R. Chaichaowarat, S. Prakthong, & S. Thitipankul. (2023). “Transformable wheelchair–exoskeleton hybrid robot for assisting human locomotion,” Robotics, vol. 12, no. 1, 16.
  • Z. Ullah, R. Chaichaowarat*, & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2023). “Variable damping actuator using an electromagnetic brake for impedance modulation in physical human–robot interaction,” Robotics, vol. 12, no. 3, 80.
  • A. M. Abdullahi & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Sensorless estimation of human joint torque for robust tracking control of lower-limb exoskeleton assistive gait rehabilitation,” J. Sens. Actuator Netw., vol. 12, no. 4, 53.
  • A. Javadi & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Position and stiffness control of an antagonistic variable stiffness actuator with input delay using super-twisting sliding mode control,” Nonlinear Dyn., vol. 111, pp. 5359–5381.
  • R. Chaichaowarat, S. Nishimura, & H. I. Krebs. (2022). “Macro-mini linear actuator using electrorheological-fluid brake for impedance modulation in physical human–robot interaction,” IEEE Robot. Autom. Lett., vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 2945–2952.
  • R. Chaichaowarat, S. Nishimura, T. Nozaki, & H. I. Krebs. (2021). “Work in the time of Covid-19: actuators and sensors for rehabilitation robotics,” IEEJ J. Ind. Appl., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 1–10.
  • R. Chaichaowarat, J. Kinugawa, & K. Kosuge. (2018). “Unpowered knee exoskeleton reduces quadriceps activity during cycling,” Engineering, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 471-478.
  • R. Chaichaowarat & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2016). “Kinematics-based analytical solution for wheel slip angle estimation of a RWD vehicle with drift,” Eng. J., vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 89-107.
  • R. Chaichaowarat & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2016). “Full-slip kinematics based estimation of vehicle yaw rate from differential wheel speeds,” KSAE Int. J. Auto. Tech., vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 81-88.
  • R. Chaichaowarat & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2015). “Linear quadratic optimal regulator for steady state drifting of rear wheel drive vehicle,” J. Robotics and Mechatronics, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 225-234.
  • R. Chaichaowarat & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2013). “Dynamics and simulation of RWD vehicles drifting at steady state using BNP-MNC tire model,” SAE Int. J. Trans. Safety, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 134-144.  
  • R. Chaichaowarat & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2013). “Tire test for drifting dynamics of a scaled vehicle,” TSME J. Research and Applications in Mechanical Engineering, vol. 1, no. 3, pp. 33-39.
 
 
Selected Conference Papers
 
  • N. Phornpimonchoke, S. Koosermmit, A. Tanakijchumroon, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Alternative locomotion modalities for lunar rover,” in Proc. IEEE/ASME Int. Conf. Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, pp. 287–292.
  • T. Tantagunninat, N. Wongkaewcharoen, K. Pornpipatsakul, R. Chuengpichanwanich, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Modulation of joint stiffness for controlling the cartesian stiffness of a 2-DOF planar robotic arm for rehabilitation,” in Proc. IEEE/ASME Int. Conf. Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, pp. 598–603.
  • K. Pornpipatsakul, A. Chenviteesook, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Ultrasound probe movement analysis using depth camera with compact handle design for probe contact force measurement,” in Proc. IEEE/EMBS Annu. Int. Conf., pp. 1–4.
  • N. Charnpinyo, K. Suthicharoenpanich, K. Onthuam, S. Engphaiboon, R. Chaichaowarat, C. Suebthawinkul*, & P. Siricharoen*. (2023). “Embryo selection for IVF using machine learning techniques based on light microscopic images of embryo and additional factors,” in Proc. IEEE/EMBS Annu. Int. Conf., pp. 1–4.
  • K. Pornpipatsakul, W. Chuengwutigool, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Design advantages of four-bar linkage planar robotic arm for upper-extremity rehabilitation,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Robotics and Biomimetics, pp. 1–6.
  • S. Piyapunsutti, E. L. De Guzman, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Navigating mobile manipulator robot for restaurant application using open-source software,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Robotics and Biomimetics, pp. 1–6.
  • S. Kitchatr, A. Sirimangkalalo, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Visual servo control for ball-on-plate balancing: Effect of PID controller gain on tracking performance,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Robotics and Biomimetics, pp. 1–6.
  • K. Keawhanam, R. Chuengpichanwanich, C. Khlowutthiwat, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Optimal five-bar legged design for energy-efficient bipedal robot,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Robotics and Biomimetics, pp. 1–6.
  • K. Pornpipatsakul, W. Chuengwutigool, R. Chaichaowarat*, & A. Foongchomcheay. (2023). “Bridging exercise monitoring system using RGB camera for stroke rehabilitation,” in Proc. IEEE Region 10 Conf., pp. 959– 964.
  • T. Mesatien, R. Suksawasdi Na Ayuthaya, A. Chenviteesook, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Position accuracy of a 6-DOF passive robotic arm for ultrasonography training,” in Proc. IEEE Region 10 Conf., pp. 841–846.
  • K. K. Wichiramala, S. Opasjirawiroj, N. Chongpita, & R. Chaichaowarat*. (2023). “Soft pneumatic actuator from 3D-printed TPU: fabrication and grasping force characterization,” in Proc. IEEE Region 10 Conf., pp. 853–858.
  • R. Chuengpichanwanich, C. Khlowutthiwat, R. Chaichaowarat*, & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2023). “Bipedal robot: Leg kinematics for stable walking,” in Proc. IEEE Region 10 Conf., pp. 847–852.
  • R. Chaichaowarat, A. Sirichatchaikul, W. Iamkaew, & N. Phondee. (2022). “Affordable pipetting robot: gripper design for automatic changing of micropipette and liquid volume control,” in Proc. IEEE/ASME Int. Conf. Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, pp. 1275–1280.
  • R. Chaichaowarat, S. Nishimura, & H. I. Krebs. (2021). “Design and modeling of a variable-stiffness spring mechanism for impedance modulation in physical human–robot interaction,” in Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Robotics and Automation, pp. 7052–7057.
  • R. Chaichaowarat, V. Macha, & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2020). “Passive knee exoskeleton using brake torque to assist stair ascent,” in Proc. 2020 IEEE Region 10 Conf., pp. 1165-1170.
  • S. Nishimura, R. Chaichaowarat, & H. I. Krebs. (2020). “Human-robot interaction: controller design and stability,” in Proc. 2020 IEEE RAS/EMBS Int. Conf. Biomedical Robotics and Biomechatronics, pp. 1096-1101.
  • R. Chaichaowarat, J. Kinugawa, A. Seino, & K. Kosuge. (2020). “A spring-embedded planetary-geared parallel elastic actuator,” in Proc. 2020 IEEE/ASME Int. Conf. Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics, pp. 952-959.
  • R. Chaichaowarat & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2019). “Wheel slip angle estimation of a planar mobile platform,” in Proc. 1st Int. Symp. Instrumentation, Control, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics, pp. 163-166. (Best Paper)
  • R. Chaichaowarat, J. Kinugawa, & K. Kosuge. (2018). “Cycling enhance knee exoskeleton using planar spiral spring,” in Proc. 2018 IEEE/EMBS Annu. Int. Conf., pp. 3206-3211.
  • R. Chaichaowarat, D. F. Paez. G., J. Kinugawa, & K. Kosuge. (2017). “Passive knee exoskeleton using torsion spring for cycling assistance,” in Proc. 2017 IEEE/RSJ Int. Conf. Intelligent Robots and Systems, pp. 3069-3074.
  • R. Chaichaowarat & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2013). “Optimal control for steady state drifting of RWD vehicle,” in Proc. 7th IFAC Symposium on Advances in Automotive Control, pp. 814-820.
  • R. Chaichaowarat & W. Wannasuphoprasit. (2011). “Two dimensional dynamic model of drifting vehicle,” in Proc. 7th TSAE Int. Conf. Automotive Engineering.
 
 
Professional Experiences
 
  • IEEE Senior Member
  • Vice-Chair of IEEE RAS Thailand Chapter
  • Editor and Chair of “Robotics, Control, Instrumentation, and Automation” Track in IEEE Region 10 Conference (TENCON 2023).
  • Organizing committee of the IEEE Region 10 Robotics Competition 2022 “Robotics for Healthcare”.
  • Conference secretary of the 1st UNITED – Southeast Asia Automotive Interest Group (SAIG) International Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 2021.
  • Keynote speaker of the 2nd Tohoku University Seminar for Social Benefits in Thailand, in the topic “Wearable robots for the future aging society”, Bangkok, Thailand, 2019.
  • Invited reviewer for the IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics (T-MECH), the IEEE Transactions on Robotics (T-RO), the IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (RA-L), the IEEE Transactions of Systems, Man and Cybernetics: Systems, the IEEE Access, the ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, the CAAI Transactions on Intelligence Technology, the KSAE International Journal of Automotive Technology (IJAT), and the International Journal of Robotics and Automation (IJRA).
  • Invited reviewer for the IEEE Int. Conf. Robotics and Automation (ICRA), IEEE/RSJ Int. Conf. Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), the IEEE/ASME Int. Conf. Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics (AIM), the IEEE Int. Conf. Robotics and Biomimetics (ROBIO), the IEEE/RAS Int. Conf. Soft Robotics (RoboSoft), the IFAC Int. Symp. Advances in Automotive Control (AAC), and the SAE Intelligent and Connected Vehicles Symp. (ICVS).
  • Section chair of IEEE/ASME AIM 2022 “Modeling and Design II” and IEEE/ASME AIM 2023 “Rehabilitation Robotics”.