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Taubman Complex, J355

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Taubman Complex, J234 and Management Bld, M215A

Chan-Jin “CJ” Chung, PhD, is a professor of Computer Science (CS) and a researcher in Artificial Intelligence (AI), with expertise spanning evolutionary computation, deep learning, distributed deep learning, and autonomous robotics. Since 1998, he has directed the CS AI Robotics Lab, leading numerous AI-driven robotics research and education projects.

Before moving to the United States, Chung was a senior research scientist at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in South Korea. There, he contributed to the development of the TDX switching system, which served as the foundation for the world’s first commercialized CDMA (2G) system. During his time as a visiting researcher at LM Ericsson in Sweden, he developed software modules for the AXE-10 switching system.

His doctoral research at Wayne State University focused on developing a self-adaptive AI system inspired by cultural evolution processes. This work has been applied to neural network weight & hyperparameter optimization, timetable scheduling, and 3D shape design.

In his CS Robotics Lab, Chung has led research projects—including intelligent vehicle navigation, connected and autonomous vehicles, gesture-based robot control, and cooperative robotics—by applying machine learning, deep neural networks, and evolutionary neuro-fuzzy techniques. His work also extends to biomedical engineering, including a patient fall-detection system, a computer-vision-based venous reservoir blood volume sensor, and modeling of heart-lung machines during cardiopulmonary bypass. His research has received funding from the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), the Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TARDEC), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and over 50 industry partners.

Beyond technical research, Chung has had a major impact on AI robotics education. He founded Robofest in 1999, an international autonomous robotics competition that has engaged tens of thousands of pre-college students in hands-on STEAM learning. He also developed complementary programs—including RoboParade, Vision Centric Challenge, Exhibition, RoboArts, RoboMED, BottleSumo, and Unknown Mission Challenge—that integrate AI robotics with creative, interdisciplinary education. With support from LEGO Education, Chung served as the founding director of WRO (World Robot Olympiad) USA in 2014 and 2015. His MathDance program was featured in the United Nations’ “AI for Good” initiative in 2024. As a faculty advisor, he has mentored teams for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), RoboCup 4-Legged Soccer, and the DARPA Urban Challenge. In 2011, IEEE-USA honored him with the Citation of Honor for his contributions to STEM education.

As of April 2026, Chung has authored 3 book chapters, 16 journal articles, and 59 peer-reviewed conference papers, with 1,519 citations. As a Principal Investigator, he has secured over $650K in external funding; as a Co-PI or Senior Personnel, he has contributed to an additional $2.0M; and Robofest has generated over $1.1M in revenue—totaling $3.8M in research funding and program revenue.

Dr. Chung’s Wikipedia page and Homepage (Publications, Research Projects, Talks, Teaching, Grants, Lab, CV)