Professor

Brief Introduction

Professor Yuan has been dedicated to researching human-computer interaction and intelligent design in the context of artificial intelligence. Her work explores the design and practice of human-machine interfaces (HMI) for autonomous vehicles, human-robot interaction (HRI), smart materials and user experience, as well as intelligent design tools. Now she serves as the Deputy Director of the Key Laboratory of Digital Stage Design and Service, Ministry of Culture and Tourism.Professor Yuan has undertaken six projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, the sub-tasks of the National Key Research and Development Program in Intelligent Robotics, and the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation. She has published nearly 20 high-impact academic papers. Her group will recruit master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral researchers with backgrounds in industrial design, interaction design, mechanical engineering, computer science, automation, electronic information, psychology, biomedical engineering, and other related fields.

Research

Human-robot interaction (HRI)

human-machine interfaces (HMI) for autonomous vehicles

interaction design and user experience

intelligent design tools

Teaching

Service Robot design, Interaction design

Academic and social Post

Communication Review Expert，the Engineering and Materials Science Department of the National Natural Science Foundation of China 

Communication Review Expert，National Key Research and Development Program Modern Service Industry Special

Executive Committee Member，the Industrial Design Branch of the Chinese Society of Mechanical Engineering

Professional Committee Member，the Human Computer Interaction Professional Committee of the Chinese Computer Federation

Education Background

2009.09-2013.06  Ph.D. in Computational Design，Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

2002.09-2005.06  M.S in Industrial Design，Wuhan University of Technology

1998.09-2002.06  B.S in Industrial Design，Wuhan University of Technology

Work Experience

2024.09-present  Professor，College of Design and Innovation，Tongji University

2022.03-2022.12  Visiting Scholar，School of Architecture and Planning，MIT

2021.09-2024.08  Professor，Department of Information Art Design，School of Art and Design，Wuhan University of Technology

2013.09-2021.08  Associate Professor，Department of Information Art Design，School of Art and Design，Wuhan University of Technology

Design

[1] “Key Technologies and Application Demonstration of Intelligent Cockpit Design for L3+ Autonomous Vehicles”, granted by Department of Science and Technology of Hubei Province, 2022-2024. Co- Investigator

[2] “Research on Modular Design Method of Industrial Robot Ontology Based on Generative Grammar”, granted by National Ten Thousand Talents Program, China, 2021-2024. PI

[3] “Modular Design and Operation Monitoring System Development of Large Glass Substrate Handling Robot”, granted by Nation Key Research and Development Program of China, 2019-2022, Co- Investigator

[4] “Intelligent Kitchen Design Based on User Behavior Research”, granted by Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Health Smart Kitchen System Integration Open Fund, 2019-2021. PI

[5] “Assessment Methodology of Design Creativity based on the correlation Mechanism of Product Design Process and Design Outcome”, granted by National Natural Science Foundation of China, 2017-2019, PI

[6] “Computational Model of Product Design Sketch based on the Deformation Reasoning Process”, granted by Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province, 2017-2018, PI

Publications

Book:

[1] Liu, S., Yuan, X., Wang, H., Yang, J., Jing, S. (2024). Global AI 2022 - Intelligent Human-Computer Interaction Connects a New Universe. Foreign Language Press.

[2] Yuan, X., Wu, Y., Li, X., Deng, F., Jiang, Q. (2025). Human-Computer Interaction and Interaction Design. People's Fine Arts Publishing House.

Journal paper:

[1] Dai, G., Yuan, X., & Wu, Y. (2025). The Family as an Experiential Learning Unit: Digital Resources for Mediating Emotional Attachment in Museums. International Journal of Art & Design Education.

[2] Yuan, X., Deng, F., Yao, X., & Wu, Y. (2024). Driving Behaviour Research for Autonomous Vehicle Interaction Design: A Comprehensive Review and Future Directions. International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 1-21.

[3] Wu, Y., Yao, X., Deng, F., & Yuan, X. (2024). Effect of Takeover Request Time and Warning Modality on Trust in Automated Driving. Human Factors, 00187208241278433.

[4] Wu, Y., Ma, L., Yuan, X., & Li, Q. (2023). Human–machine hybrid intelligence for the generation of car frontal forms. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 55, 101906.

[5] Ma, L., Wu, Y., Li, Q., & Yuan, X. (2022). Recognition of car front facing style for machine-learning data annotation: a quantitative approach. Symmetry, 14(6), 1181. 

[6] Wu, Y., Zhou, D., Cheng, H., & Yuan, X. (2022). A New Configuration Method for Glass Substrate Transfer Robot Modules Based on Kansei Engineering. Applied Sciences, 12(19), 10091. 

[7] Yuan, X., Pu, X. (2023). Research on Behavior Guidance Design for Children's Educational Robots. Art and Design (Theory), (04), 106-108. [In Chinese]

[8] Yuan, X., Zhou, D., & Wu, Y. (2022). Analysis of the Research Trends on Service Robot Interaction Based on Bibliometrics. Packaging Engineering, (24), 57-66+134. [In Chinese]

[9] Yuan, X., Deng, F., Liu, Z. (2021). Design Strategies for Government Tourism Portal Websites Based on Behavior Theory. Packaging Engineering, (20), 288-293. [In Chinese]

Honors and Awards

[1] 2024  Awarded the Outstanding Mentor Award in the X Journey Xiaomi Smart Aesthetics Future Design Competition

[2] 2023  Supervised students who won the National Gold Award in the Corporate Track of the 15th UXDA User Experience Design Competition

[3] 2019  Supervised students who won the National First Prize in the Interactive Category of the 11th National University Advertising Art Competition

[4] 2013  Received the Best Paper Award at the 15th CAAD Futures Conference

Contact

Email: yuanxiaofang@tongji.edu.cn