Dr. Wayne Wu, a postdoctoral scholar in the UCLA Computer Science Department, has been selected as one of eight recipients of the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Postdoctoral Research. This award is the highest recognition for postdoctoral scholarship at UCLA, and honors individuals who have made significant research accomplishments with exceptional promise for applications in their field. Wu is being recognized for his innovative contributions to AI, robotics, and human-centric urban mobility, as well as his growing impact across interdisciplinary research communities.
Working with Professor Bolei Zhou, Dr. Wu’s research focuses on developing infrastructure for scaling AI learning in the physical world. He builds world simulators and human-centric models that enable “generalizable physical AI.” These systems support lightweight autonomous systems such as delivery robots, intelligent wheelchairs, and mobility scooters. His work bridges the gap between simulation and physical reality, allowing these systems to operate safely and efficiently in dynamic urban environments.
This research addresses critical challenges in sustainability, accessibility, and traffic congestion, which are issues of growing importance as Los Angeles prepares for the LA28 Olympic Games. Dr. Wu’s work provides cities and public agencies with practical tools to evaluate, train, and deploy next-generation micromobility systems. By enabling safer, more accessible, and more sustainable transportation options, his research advances UCLA’s leadership in physical AI and contributes directly to improving urban mobility for millions of people.
To learn more about Dr. Wu’s work, please visit his website: https://wywu.github.io. Details about the award can be found here: https://grad.ucla.edu/life-at-ucla/events/2024-postdoctoral-scholars-mentors-awards-ceremony.