Jaemin Lee dreams of developing the next Optimus Prime.
Well, not quite. But Lee, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and associate faculty in the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering at NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill, draws inspiration from movies like Transformers.
“Stories like these continually inspire roboticists like me,” he said. “Bringing these imagined robots closer to reality — that is our greatest motivation. In this spirit, our lab aims to independently develop humanoid and gorilla-inspired robots that can exhibit autonomous behavior and intelligent decision making.”
Lee leads the Hybrid Intelligent Experimental Robotics (HIER) Lab, which studies theoretical and experimental research in legged loco-manipulation for real-world robotic deployment.
“Humans adapt to their surroundings and roles, using perception and reasoning to maximize their capability,” he said. “Similarly, we aim to enable robots to perceive situations, generate and release multi-contact interactions freely, and act stably and intelligently in any environment.”
This interview with Lee is part of an ongoing series in which we ask NC State faculty about their academic research, their motivations and their advice for students.
What is your area of expertise, and what motivated you to pursue it?
My research group and I are passionately engaged in developing autonomous and intelligent robots. In particular, we focus on humanoid robots capable of performing complex and diverse tasks in environments shared with humans. We are also studying how heterogeneous robots such as humanoids, quadrupeds and robotic arms can physically interact and cooperate autonomously over long durations to accomplish missions together.
What kind of larger issues do you think your research could solve?
My research tackles two fundamental challenges. First, we explore how humanoid and animaloid robots can adapt, perceive and act as naturally as humans or apes do. Achieving this requires an integrated approach that spans mechanical hardware and control, electronic circuits and power systems, and computer science areas such as AI and algorithm design.
Second, we seek to establish a framework for continuous robot evolution through human-to-robot and robot-to-robot skill transfer. For example, gorillas teach their offspring essential survival skills through direct physical interaction. Likewise, if robots can learn norms and abilities from humans or even from other robots, they could gradually evolve into intelligent machines capable of forming autonomous societies with their own identity, much like human civilization developed over time.
My emphasis on robots learning norms and developing increasingly autonomous capabilities arises from the growing reality that these systems are transitioning from controlled and fixed laboratory environments into complex and unstructured real-world settings. As robots gain greater ability to make decisions and act intelligently with reduced human supervision, it becomes critical to ensure that their behaviors remain aligned with human expectations and strict safety requirements without requiring shutdowns, manual interventions or continual human adjustment.
Why is university-based research important?
At NC State, there is a strong culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and application-driven research. For example, in agriculture, we need robust and reliable robots that can supplement manual labor; in chemistry, autonomous robots that can conduct complex experiments following precise protocols; and in industrial environments, inspection and maintenance robots that can operate safely and efficiently.
All these applications require not only advanced robotic functions, but also domain-specific knowledge — data, intuition, safety standards and expertise. When these specialized insights are combined with the robotic technologies developed in our lab, the potential becomes enormous. This mission aligns closely with our university’s vision to lead in physical artificial intelligence, a field that merges physical embodiment with AI to create truly autonomous systems.
Describe your research in five words or less.
Physical, AI-based, intelligent robots.
What advice do you have for a student who wants to pursue similar research?
Robotics is inherently interdisciplinary, spanning a wide range of fields. However, a strong foundation in mathematics and physics is essential. Without it, advanced knowledge becomes unstable, like a castle built on sand. While visible outcomes are important, building solid fundamentals is even more critical. Along the way, practice expressing your thoughts clearly and confidently.
I also tell my students that developing the courage to face challenges head on is vital. The same principle applies to research. I often remind them to focus on their own growth rather than others’ expectations. If you keep competing with your past self, one day, the person you once were will help lift you up when you stumble.