Chinpei is an accomplished Principal Technical Program Manager at Motional, where he drives the development of cutting-edge autonomous mobility solutions, making driverless vehicles a safe, reliable, and accessible reality.
With over 17 years of experience in robotics, automation, and program management, Chinpei has excelled in applying his expertise across automotive, warehouse, and mining industries. His portfolio includes automating hydraulic blast-hole mining drills, pioneering robotic pick-and-place systems in manufacturing and parcel sortation, advancing self-driving vehicles and long-haul trucks, and optimizing warehouse inventory and fulfillment operations.
Chinpei earned his Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo, specializing in the mechanical design, motion planning, and control of cooperative ground and aerial robots. His postdoctoral work at the University of Texas at Dallas expanded into teleoperation and collision avoidance. Additionally, as a summer researcher at the Air Force Research Laboratory, he modeled and validated flexible wing structures for micro-aerial vehicles.
At Caterpillar, Chinpei developed advanced automation systems for blast-hole rotary drills, reducing operator fatigue by enabling machines to manage low-level tasks while operators focused on strategic mine planning. Later, he led system-level performance and control analysis for Caterpillar’s surface rock drill product lines.
At Magna International, Chinpei created a roadmap for next-generation smart manufacturing, integrating advanced robotic capabilities such as machine vision, tactile perception, and adaptive motion planning. His innovations included an A-pillar robotic pick-and-place solution, a universal robotic gripper for powertrain applications, and transformative R&D projects to improve robotic flexibility.
At Kindred AI (a subsidiary of Ocado Technology), Chinpei spearheaded the deployment of a pilot robotic pick-and-place parcel sorting system at a major air hub and led the installation of two dozen robotic cells at Gap’s greenfield warehouse in Texas.
During his tenure at TuSimple, Chinpei managed the vehicle embedded systems team, contributing to the development and testing of minimal risk condition maneuvers executed by embedded controllers for Class 8 self-driving trucks. He later joined Fanatics, where he launched hundreds of AGVs in a brownfield warehouse to enhance operations in Maryland.
Beyond industry, Chinpei is a dedicated leader and advocate for community development. As President of the Chinese Institute of Engineers/USA – Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter, he raised over $80,000 in sponsorships and hosted more than 15 impactful programs, benefiting over 5,000 individuals. He remains a life member and advisory board member of the organization.
Chinpei holds certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP®), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO®), and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM®). He is set to complete his MBA at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A recognized thought leader, he has published over 30 conference papers, journal articles, and patents and continues to serve as a paper reviewer and associate editor for international robotics conferences.
Outside of work, Chinpei enjoys traveling, capturing scenic photography, and exploring emerging technologies. His passion for innovation and excellence drives his contributions to advancing autonomous systems and smart manufacturing solutions.