About Me
Marvin Cheng is a research engineer in the Center for Occupational Robotics Research at NIOSH. He is currently the Assistant Coordinator of the Center for the Occupational Robotics Research (CORR), and the Team Lead of the Safety Control Team at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. His research interests include operation safety of robots in workspaces, human-robot interaction, control system, and cyberphysical systems used for human-robot collaboration. He leads the Robotic Research Laboratory in Morgantwon, WV, which investigates operation strategies for robots in various workspaces and mobile sensor networks.
- Company: CDC/NIOSH
- Job title: Assistant Coordinator / Team Lead
- Education: PhD of Mechanical Engineering
- School: Purdue University, 2005
- Website: marvin-cheng.github.io
- Phone: 304.285.5787
- City: Morgantown, WV
Research and Lab News
Invited Keynote at IROS Future of Construction Workshop
September 27, 2026
I delivered the invited keynote, “Advancing Robotics Safety in Construction—Robot Collaboration, Automation, and Intelligent Systems,” at the 5th Workshop on Future of Construction: Collaborative Robots for Fabrication, Manufacturing, and Inspection, held in conjunction with the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The talk highlighted human-centered robotics, construction automation, and approaches for translating robotics research into safer real-world deployment.
Research Paper Published
February, 2026
Our study, titled "Robot-Related Workers’ Compensation Claims in Ohio, 2001–2020," published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, investigates 1,076 robot-related claims spanning two decades. Findings indicate that 85% were medical-only claims, involving either medical care alone or seven or fewer days away from work. This research expands upon existing robot-related injury literature by analyzing the largest dataset of its kind to date.
Best Oral Presentation Award
September, 2025
Our study, titled "Pollination Process with a Collaborative Robotic Platform," received the Best Oral Presentation Award in the 2nd International Online Conference on Biomimetics. The research team would like to express its sincere gratitude to the students from Morgantown High School for their participation in data collection and their valuable contributions to this study.
Research Paper Published on American Journal of Industrial Medicine
June, 2025
Our manuscript, titled "Bio-Inspired Motion Emulation for Social Robots: A Real-Time Trajectory Generation and Control Approach," has been published in Biomimetics. This paper explores the implementation of motion trajectories for a dual-arm humanoid robot, synthesized from real human movements.
Research Paper Published on Biomimetics
September, 2024
Our manuscript, titled "Bio-Inspired Motion Emulation for Social Robots: A Real-Time Trajectory Generation and Control Approach," has been published in Biomimetics. This paper explores the implementation of motion trajectories for a dual-arm humanoid robot, synthesized from real human movements.
Experiences
Education
Ph.D. of Mechanical Engineering
1999 - 2005
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Master of Mechanical Engineering
1994 - 1996
National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Bachelor of Engineering
1990 - 1994
National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Professional Experience
Mechanical Engineer / Coordinator
2018 - Present
NIOSH, Morgantown, WV
- Coordinator of the Center for Occupational Robotics Research
- Team lead of the Safety Control Team (SCT)
- Member of o ANSI/A3 Standard Committee Member (R15.06 Safety Requirements for Industrial Robots and Robot Systems)
- Member of o ANSI/A3 Standard Committee Member (R15.08 Safety Requirements for Industrial Mobile Robots and Robot Systems)
Co-Chair / The Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) Program
2024 - Present
Intelligent Robotics and Automation Systems (IRAS) Interagency Working Group (IWG)
Associate Professor
2017 - 2018
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
Assistant Professor
2010 - 2017
West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Recent Publications and Invited Talks
Selected work from 2024 through October 2026.
Recent Journal Publications (2024–2026)
Robot-Related Workers' Compensation Claims in Ohio, 2001-2020
V. Suresh, S. Konda, J. M. Haney, H. E. Camargo, M. Cheng, D. Weaver, S. J. Wurzelbacher, A. R. Meyers, S. Naber, and M. Lampl
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 69(3), 2026
Exploring the Role of Digital Twin Systems in Mine Safety
M. Cheng, J. Carr, B. Bissonette, R. Knuth, and E. J. Haas
Mining Engineering, 77(10), 28-31, 2025
Industrial Robotics and the Future of Work
J. Howard, V. Murashov, J. Carr, M. Cheng, G. S. Earnest, K. C. Elliott, E. J. Haas, G. Petery, C. R. Reid, P. O. Spielholz, D. Srinivasan, D. Trout, C.-J. Liang, G. Roth, and C. D. Wendt
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 68(6), 2025
Bio-Inspired Motion Emulation for Social Robots: A Real-Time Trajectory Generation and Control Approach
M. H. Cheng, P.-L. Huang, and H.-C. Chu
Biomimetics, 9(9), 557, 2024
Designing an Experimental Platform to Assess Ergonomic Factors and Distraction Index in Law Enforcement Vehicles during Mission-Based Routes
M. H. Cheng, J. Guan, H. K. Dave, R. S. White, R. L. Whisler, J. V. Zwiener, H. E. Camargo, and R. S. Current
Machines, 12(8), 502, 2024
Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry
C.-J. Liang, T.-H. Le, Y. Ham, B. R. K. Mantha, M. H. Cheng, and J. J. Lin
Automation in Construction, 162, 105369, 2024
Recent Conference & Workshop Publications
Immersive Virtual Reality for Evaluating Construction Worker Responses to Safety Hazards in Robotic Construction Workplaces
M. H. Cheng, H. K. Dave, H. E. Camargo, C.-J. Liang, and D. Weaver
5th Workshop on Future of Construction: Collaborative Robots for Fabrication, Manufacturing, and Inspection, IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), Pittsburgh, PA, September 27-October 1, 2026
Human Factors in the Demolition Robot Hazard Zone: A Multi-Factor Virtual Reality Investigation
H. E. Camargo and M. H. Cheng
5th Workshop on Future of Construction: Collaborative Robots for Fabrication, Manufacturing, and Inspection, IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), Pittsburgh, PA, September 27-October 1, 2026
Investigating Human Responses to Demolition Robots in a Simulated Construction Environment
H. E. Camargo and M. H. Cheng
3rd International Electronic Conference on Machines and Applications, May 12-14, 2026
Adaptive Path Planning for Drone-Based Construction Site Inspection Using Fractal Image Processing and Deep Learning
M. H. Cheng and H. Dave
3rd International Electronic Conference on Machines and Applications, May 12-14, 2026
PetSense: An Integrated System for Real-Time Cat Activity and Affective Monitoring
M. H. Cheng, H. E. Camargo, A. C. Cheng, and N. Camargo
6th International Electronic Conference on Applied Sciences, December 9-11, 2025
Pollination Process with a Collaborative Robotic Platform
M. H. Cheng and A. Y. Cheng
2nd International Online Conference on Biomimetics, September 16-18, 2025
Adaptive Fractal Quadtree Approach for Efficient Drone-Based Construction Site Safety Inspection
M. H. Cheng, C.-J. Liang, and H. E. Camargo
42nd International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC), pp. 97-104, Montreal, Canada, July 28-31, 2025
Invited Talks, Keynotes & Seminars (2024–2026)
Advancing Robotics Safety in Construction—Robot Collaboration, Automation, and Intelligent Systems
Invited Keynote, 5th Workshop on Future of Construction: Collaborative Robots for Fabrication, Manufacturing, and Inspection, IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), Pittsburgh, PA
September 27, 2026
Invited Panelist — Government Representative
2026 FRR Annual Meeting, hosted by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh, PA
September 25, 2026
Human-Centered Robotics for Safety-Critical Workspaces: Modeling, Control, and Deployment
Lamar University, Beaumont, TX
February 13, 2026
Human-Centered Robotics for Safety-Critical Workspaces: Modeling, Control, and Deployment
Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
February 2, 2026
Human-Robot Collaboration through Machine Learning
NIOSH Signatures Series on AI, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Virtual
September 30, 2025
Research on Human-Robot Collaboration in Different Workspaces
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN
February 10, 2025
Robotics Taking Over the Workplace – Part 1
American Society of Safety Professionals, Online Webinar
December 10, 2024
Human-Robot Collaboration in Construction
2024 NORA Construction Sector Council Meeting, Washington, DC
November 20-21, 2024
Teaching Experiences
Courses Taught
Undergraduate Courses
- Statics
- Dynamics
- Control Systems
- Mechatronics
- Robotics
Graduate Courses
- Advanced Vibrations
- Linear Control
- Nonlinear Control Systems
- Mechatronics
- Embedded Systems
Student Research Team
NASA Centennial Challenges: Sample Robot Return Challenge (2014~2016)
The student research team at West Virginia University achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully guiding their robot, Cataglyphis, to earn 11 points and secure first place in the Level 2 competition of NASA’s Sample Return Robot Challenge, part of the Centennial Challenges program. Their outstanding performance earned a $750,000 prize—the largest ever awarded in the five-year history of the Challenge.
Teaching Awards
Outstanding Teacher Award
2016, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University
The George W. Weaver Award, Excellent Teaching
2015, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering , West Virginia University
The Magoon Teaching Assistant Award
2005, Outstanding Graduate Student for Excellence in Teaching, Purdue University