Zhao is recognized nationally and internationally for his research on autonomous/connected vehicles and smart cities, which synthesizes methods in machine learning, robotics, and design. His group develops rigorous test methods to verify AI-powered robots and learning/generative approaches that model the operational environment with big data to support vision and decision-making development. Methods and tools developed by the lab are being used by the industry and regulation institutes.

Zhao’s research has been granted funding by the National Science Foundation, Department of Transportation, and Department of Energy. He also works with leading self-driving companies around the world including Uber, Toyota, and Bosch.