Yifan Jiang

Yifan Jiang

About Me

I received my bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and my MSc in Robotics Systems and Control at ETH Zurich. More details about me? Please see my CV below. Click on the blue buttons to jump to the section that interests you.

Education Experience Projects Publications Extra-Curricular Awards and Tests Skills Hobbies

Education

ETH Zurich, Switzerland (2016-09 ~ 2018-09)

  • MSc Robotics Systems and Control
  • Selected courses: robot dynamics, computer vision, physical human-robot interaction, probabilistic artificial intelligence, power electronic system, industrial process control

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU), Hong Kong (2011-09 ~ 2016-06)

  • BEng Mechanical Engineering, First Class Honour
  • Selected courses: automatic control system, artificial intelligence, sound and vibration

Experience

Proprietary Quantitative Investing (2020-02 ~ present)

Part-time Trader

  • Conduct research on trading strategies for multiple asset classes using a quantitative approach. Trade the strategies with my own saving.
  • Develop and maintain an in-house strategy backtest/execution platform (with C++, python, HTTP REST). Set up DevOps infrastructure involving GitHub, Docker, and AWS, automating a large part of the workflow.

Leica Microsystems AG, Switzerland (2018-10 ~ present)

Software Engineer, Medical Imaging

  • Developing high-performance and user-friendly software systems for medical applications using C++.
  • Accelerating image processing algorithms using GPU-based parallel computing (NVIDIA CUDA), conducting performance analysis and optimization.
  • Developed and patented a digital video stabilization algorithm for medical microscopes.
  • Designed a flexible and efficient image rendering framework that is now at the heart of a few major projects.

Maxon Motor AG, Switzerland (2017-03 ~ 2017-09)

Engineer Trainee, Advanced Systems Group

  • Developed firmware for real-time, low-latency motion control systems using C++.
  • Developed and tested a high-performance sensorless control algorithm for brushless permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM).
  • Developed system identification methods for motion control systems.

Robotic Systems Lab, ETH Zürich, Switzerland (2016-10 ~ 2017-03)

Research Assistant

  • Developed firmware and low-level drivers for the battery and power management system of ANYmal, a quadrupedal walking robot.
  • Developed a touchscreen-based user interface for ANYmal.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic Unviersity, Hong Kong (2016-06 ~ 2016-08)

Research Assistant

  • Developed data acquisition and image processing systems for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based search-and-rescue mission platform (using C++ and Python).
  • Developed ROS applications and PixHawk firmware for an in-house vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAV.

ASM Pacific Technology Ltd, Hong Kong (2014-06 ~ 2015-06)

Engineer Trainee, R&D Motion Group

  • Developed a highly user-friendly motor sizing and simulation toolbox using C#.
  • Developed various C++ and LabView programs for test automation.
  • Deployment and tuning of high-precision motion control systems used for semiconductor processes.

Projects

Master Thesis: Collaborative Workpiece Manipulation with a Torque-Controllable Robot Arm, ETH Zürich (2018-02 ~ 2018-08)

  • Developed and tested a novel workpiece manipulation method based on interaction forces.
  • Implement and evaluate state-of-the-art control algorithms (e.g. inverse kinematics control, impedance control, and admittance control) on a MABI Speedy 12 collaborative robot arm.

Single Image Depth Estimation Using Deep CNN, ETH Zürich (2018-03 ~ 2018-06)

  • Implemented and trained of a deep neural network (DNN) for single image depth estimation (using PyTorch).
  • Tested a novel interleaved training method to improve consistency under illumination changes, using pairs of images of the same object taken under different illumination conditions.

Model Predictive Control of a Series Elastic Actuator, ETH Zürich (2017-09 ~ 2017-12)

  • Developed and tested a novel model-predictive controller (MPC) for ANYdrive, a series elastic actuator (SEA). The controller is formulated for the whole electro-mechanical system, computing 3-phase voltage to the motor directly from output torque setpoints (output torque is measured as the deflection of the elastic component of the SEA).
  • System identification of a SEA.
  • Optimization to increase computational efficiency of the MPC on a MCU.

Multiple UAV Mission System, HKPU, Hong Kong (2015-08 ~ 2016-04)

Project Team Leader

  • Designed, built, and tested a innovative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, that uses one UAV to relay radio communication for another UAV.
  • Developed C++ and python ROS applications for UAV mission control, using Raspberry Pi; analyzed and tested a permanent magnet based quadrotor copter release system; project management.
  • Won Champion at 2016 Taiwan Innovative Unmanned Aircraft Design Competition.

Publications

  • Sun J, Li B, Jiang Y, Wen C-Y. A Camera-Based Target Detection and Positioning UAV System for Search and Rescue (SAR) Purposes. Sensors. 2016; 16(11):1778.
  • Li B, Jiang Y, Sun J, Cai L, Wen C-Y. Development and Testing of a Two-UAV Communication Relay System. Sensors. 2016; 16(10):1696.

Extra-Curricular

Exploring Hong Kong Community, HKPU, Hong Kong (2012 ~ 2013)

Internal Vice President

  • Organized hiking and camping trips in Hong Kong, targeting international students.

AIESEC Volunteer Service, Indonesia (2012-06 ~ 2012-08)

Volunteer English Tutor

  • Gave English tutorials to children in underprivileged schools; hosted a cultural sharing program in a local university.

Awards and Tests

Awards:

  • Champion, Taiwan Innovative Unmanned Aircraft Design Competition (2016)
  • Dean’s Honors List, HKPU (2012 ~ 2013)

Tests:

  • GRE: Verbal – 157, Quantitative – 167, Analytical Writing – 3.5
  • IELTS Academic: Overall – 7.5, Listening – 8, Reading – 8, Writing – 6.5, Speaking – 6.5

Skills

Skills: Robotics, software engineering, machine learning, system identification, embedded system, electronics, mechanical design.

Programming: C++, Python, PyTorch, C#, Matlab, LabView.

Languages: English, German, Mandarin, Cantonese.

Hobbies

Robotics, programming, tennis, table tennis, watchmaking, cooking.

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