Eric Jing Du, Ph.D.
Steve and Wendy Blum Professor of Civil and Coastal Engineering
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
Eric Jing Du develops AI, augmented reality and virtual reality systems to improve autonomy, workforce development and safety on construction sites, in healthcare, in the ocean and space. His research focuses on embodied artificial intelligence and human- robot interaction to enhance the benefits of robotics applications.
“My research in enabling capable construction automation technologies is intricately woven into the fabric of resilience, sustainability, and livability of built environments, acting as a catalyst for transformative change in future civil engineering paradigms,” he said.
Kirk Hatfield, director of the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment, said: “Dr. Du’s research has significantly advanced the field of construction robotics and automation.”
His research has garnered over $15 million in funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation, NASA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. He has also secured five patents.
Du has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers featured in highly regarded academic journals and conferences. He also serves as director of the Informatics, Cobots and Intelligent Construction Lab, and the chair of the Visualization, Information Modeling and Simulation Committee for the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Du is committed to his students’ education and works to expand their interests in machine learning, building information modeling and virtual and augmented reality. Working with the College of Design, Construction and Planning, he and his colleagues from ESSIE co-created a bachelor’s degree program in Industrialized Construction Engineering. Since joining UF, he has mentored 14 doctoral students, many of whom have gone on to secure prestigious academic and research positions. He actively mentors students and provides hands-on experience in his lab.
Du graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in enterprise management from Tianjin University in China. He earned his doctorate in construction management from Michigan State University. Du’s work reflects a passion for bridging technology and education to build a smarter, safer and more efficient future for the civil engineering industry.