STARLab

Socially Intelligent Autonomy, Reasoning, and Learning Laboratory

Advancing AI, Robotics, and Intelligent Autonomous Systems

Socially Intelligent Autonomy

Human–Autonomy Interaction · AI-Enabled Reasoning & Learning

We investigate how humans and autonomous systems interact, respond to, and adapt to one another. Our research integrates human behavior and cognitive modeling with AI-enabled reasoning, learning, and decision-making to advance socially intelligent, human-centered autonomous systems.

Discover Our Research

Research Across Intelligent Autonomous Systems

Learning-Based Decision-Making & Control Generative AI for Autonomous Systems Human Behavior, Cognition & Interaction

Intelligent Mobility & Transportation Systems

Connected & Autonomous Vehicles · Transportation Safety · Traffic Operations

Our research also advances intelligent mobility and transportation systems, including connected and autonomous vehicles, human driving behavior, transportation safety, and traffic operations. We investigate how intelligent transportation technologies influence the safety, efficiency, and performance of transportation systems.

Explore Transportation Research

From Simulation to Embodied Autonomy

Experimental research infrastructure integrating simulation, human measurement, and physical autonomous platforms.

Simulation & HITL VR driving simulator Under development

Scaled Autonomy Quanser QCar 2 Studio Installation pending

Full-Scale Autonomy Two Nissan Leaf-based AVs Existing platforms

Complementary capabilities include multimodal human sensing, AI computing, and a supporting electric vehicle fleet.

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News

October 2026. Our paper “Proactive Longitudinal Control to Assist Lane Changes of Human-Driven Vehicles in Mixed Traffic: Human-Emulation Approach” received the 2025 Outstanding Paper Award from Automotive Innovation.
October 2026. Dr. Liu joined the Youth Editorial Board of the International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology (IJTST).
April 2026. Our paper “Navigating in Mixed Traffic: A Human-Centric Approach to Manage Lane Changes of Human-Driven Vehicles” is accepted and published in IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.
January 2026. My Ph.D. dissertation “Navigating Mixed Traffic: Lateral and Longitudinal Control for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles with a Human-Centric Approach” received the 2025 Best Dissertation Award from the Chinese Overseas Transportation Association (COTA).
September 2025. Interview with The National News: “Driverless vehicles are now in hackers’ crosshairs — and cyber security experts prepare for the worst”.
June 2025. Interview with Fox 5 News, Atlanta (WAGA): “Waymo expands robotaxi service to Atlanta in partnership with Uber”.
May 2025. Our paper “Human-Like Lane-Change Control Strategy for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles to Improve Interactions with Human-Driven Vehicles” is accepted and published in Transportation Research Part C.
January 2025. Our paper “Proactive Longitudinal Control to Assist Lane Changes of Human-Driven Vehicles in Mixed Traffic: Human-Emulation Approach” is accepted and published in Automotive Innovation.

Join STARLab

We welcome motivated students interested in artificial intelligence, robotics, human–autonomy interaction, and intelligent autonomous systems.

Prospective Ph.D. Students · Spring/Fall 2027

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