Ray Song, a researcher from China and currently based in Seattle. Ray is focusing on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Soft Robotics, Digital Fabrication and Interaction Design.
Ray is pursuing a major in Computer Science (CSE) and a minor in Digital Arts and Experimental Media (DXARTS) at the University of Washington (UW). Ray is the founder of the DXARTS Collective, a community of student artists advocating for the advancement of experimental media at the UW.
Ray is also doing reserach in :
- Personal Robotics Lab on HRI;
- Human-Centered Robotics Lab on HRI;
- Wearable Intelligence Lab on Soft Robotics and Tactile Sensing.
Ray’s research approach to HRI emphasizes considering the robot system as an integrated whole, where both software and hardware are developed in tandem to achieve adaptive and intuitive interaction.
Ray's creative/art work explores the creation of interactive systems that have multiple layers of meanings. His installations are not only playful on the surface but also thought-provoking, inviting viewers to and uncover hidden messages.
News. More
[2025 Mar] Got awarded Anderson/Schuler-Taylor Scholarship from Mortar Board Alumni/Tolo Foundation.
[2025 Mar] TacFab was presented at UW ECE Showcase.
[2025 Mar] SODA was presented at Physical Caregiving Robots Workshop remotely.
[2025 Mar] ADA deployment paper was nominated for Best Systems Paper at HRI 2025.
[2025 Feb] SODA has been accepted for HRI 2025 Physical Caregiving Robots Workshop.
Projects. More
Academic:
[2024 - Now] Open-source Tactile Skin Toolkit
[2025] TacFab: Tactile Sensors Fabrication for Any Robots
[2024] SODA: a Soft Origami Dynamic utensil for Assisted Feeding
[2024] Human-Robot Interaction Soft Interface
Art:
[2024] Alage Arcology
[2023] Contammunication
[2022] White Model
Acknowledgements.
I am deeply grateful to the following individuals who have supported, inspired, or guided me in my academic and art journey.
Prof. Yiyue Luo - On tactile sensing and PhD applications.
Prof. Maya Cakmak - On robotics research enlightment and guidence and PhD applications.
Prof. Siddhartha Srinivasa - On research suggestions and PhD applications.
Dr. Taylor Kessler Faulkner - On HRI research guidence and PhD applications.
Dr. Amal Nanavati - On HRI research, career guidence and PhD applications.
Nick Walker - On HRI research guidence and PhD suggestions.
Nat Hurtig - On PhD application preparation.
Prof. Tivon Rice - On projects guidence and DXARTS Collective establishment.
Prof. Afroditi Psarra - On projects guidence and DXARTS Collective establishment.
Prof. Esteban Agosin - On DXARTS projects guidence.
Prof. Jeff Nivala - On the DXARTS Collective project collaboration.
Gwen Roote - On the DXARTS Collective project collaboration.
In the same spirit, I am happy to pay it forward by sharing insights and advice with students applying to PhD programs in Robotics or related fields. If you're seeking guidance on applications or general advice, feel free to reach out!
Contact.
Email: yuxin_song (at) outlook.com
Ins: @rayxsong
Linkedin: rayx
Image credit: Shufan
