FigureAsia 35 Under 35 · Science
Fei Gao
Age 32 · Autonomous aerial systems · China
Corresponding author of a 2025 Science Robotics system for continuous autonomous aerobatic flight through constrained spaces.
- Approximate age at the edition eligibility date
- 32
- Field
- Robotics
- Country or region
- China
- FigureAsia U35 Assessment
- 87.4 / 100
Profile
Career and documented record
Autonomous drones are usually planned with conservative margins that break down when space is tight and manoeuvres approach the vehicle's dynamic limits. Fei Gao's group reported a 2025 Science Robotics system capable of continuous aerobatic flight through complex obstacles without relying on pre-scripted motion.
The work integrates perception, trajectory generation and control tightly enough to exploit aerodynamic capability that conventional autonomous planners leave unused. Gao is the corresponding author and academic laboratory leader, even as he also works to translate the technology commercially.
The demonstration does not make aggressive autonomous flight universally safe. It does show that online planning can operate in a regime previously dominated by expert human pilots and carefully rehearsed trajectories.
FigureAsia selection
Why Fei Gao is on the list
Gao's result is selected for unifying algorithms and physical flight at a level of difficulty that cannot be simulated away. The system performs its claim on hardware, in constrained environments and under the dynamics that make the problem consequential.
Verified work
The 2025–26 record
Autonomous aerobatics
Corresponding-authored a Science Robotics system for continuous aggressive flight.
Constrained-space tests
Demonstrated online manoeuvres through complex obstacles near vehicle limits.
Academic programme
Continued an integrated research line in planning, control and aerial robotics.
Field context
The work in its field
High-agility autonomy demands that perception, planning and control operate on the same rapid timescale. A weakness in any layer becomes a physical crash rather than a lower benchmark score.
FigureAsia U35 Assessment
Assessment breakdown
87.4out of 100
Substantive 2025–2026 contribution
16.6 / 20
Corresponding-authored a Science Robotics system for continuous aggressive flight.
Verified scientific impact
13 / 15
The hardware demonstrations set a demanding reference for agile autonomy and attracted international robotics attention.
Originality and distinction
8.8 / 10
The distinction lies in online planning and control that use rather than avoid the vehicle's extreme dynamic envelope.
Field influence
8.8 / 10
The contribution gives autonomous aerial systems a new method, limit or line of argument with relevance beyond one paper.
Individual agency
8.8 / 10
Gao is corresponding author and laboratory principal investigator; the profile does not merge his academic and company teams.
Durability and trajectory
4.5 / 5
The record shows continuity at Zhejiang University: this contribution belongs to a wider, sustained agenda.
Asian significance and global relevance
4.5 / 5
Chinese roboticist leading autonomous-flight research at Zhejiang University.
Evidential validity and reproducibility
7.1 / 8
Physical demonstrations support the claim inside tested environments; public-safety certification is not inferred.
Advance in scientific knowledge
6.2 / 7
The work shows how tightly coupled planning and control can expand the reachable set of autonomous flight.
Translational or methodological utility
4.5 / 5
The approach may inform inspection, rescue and navigation where vehicles must move through narrow, changing spaces.
Responsible research stewardship
4.6 / 5
Deployment risk, certification and failure tolerance remain explicit limits on translation.