Origin AI’s trailblazing founder, chairman, and CTO Dr. K. J. Ray Liu has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Class of 2024 in recognition of his research in signal processing for wireless sensing with communications.
This tremendous honor reflects not only Dr. Liu’s individual excellence but also his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of engineering for the benefit of humanity.
The highest honor: Dr. Liu and the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)
Election to the NAE is one of the highest professional recognitions bestowed on an engineer. The NAE’s election process is rigorous and highly selective. NAE membership is awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice, or education.
Candidates are nominated by current NAE members and are then carefully reviewed by a selection committee composed of current NAE members. The election process considers not only an individual’s technical expertise but also their leadership in the field, their professional integrity, and their commitment to serving society. As a result, being elected as a member of the NAE is a mark of the highest professional achievement and a recognition of an individual’s exceptional career in engineering.
In addition to his technical contributions, Dr. Liu’s leadership and mentorship have been instrumental in shaping the next generation of engineers and researchers. His dedication to education and his commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration have further enriched the engineering community.
As a member of the NAE, Dr. Liu will have the opportunity to contribute his expertise to addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges, furthering the NAE’s mission of providing independent, objective advice on engineering-related issues.
The pioneering background of Origin AI’s CTO
Dr. Liu is incredibly deserving of this recognition from NAE. He is a renowned scientist and technologist with decades of experience leading research teams and uncovering technological breakthroughs.
Dr. Liu has made substantial research contributions in various broad areas, including wireless sensing, indoor positioning and tracking, wireless communications and networking, information forensic and security, network science, game theory, and signal processing algorithms and architectures. He has trained 74 Ph.D. and postdoctoral students, of which 12 are now IEEE fellows and has a prolific publication record with over 10 books and 800 referenced journal and conference publications. According to the Mathematics Genealogy Project, he has had over 200+ Ph.D. descendants.
Over the past three decades, Dr. Liu has received most prestigious teaching and research awards and honors in signal processing available at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). These recognitions include the IEEE Fourier Award for Signal Processing, the IEEE Leon K. Kirchmayer Graduate Teaching Award, IEEE Signal Processing Society Norbert Wiener Society Award, and Claude Shannon-Harry Nyquist Technical Achievement Award, and being recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Web of Science, being elected as fellow and president of the IEEE, and as a fellow of AAAS and the National Academy of Inventors. He was honored in 2021 as a Distinguished Alumni of National Taiwan University.
Dr. Liu was Distinguished University Professor, Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, and Christine Kim Eminent Professor of Information Technology of the University of Maryland, College Park, where he received the Invention of the Year Award for three times, and also Poole and Kent Senior Faculty Teaching Award, Outstanding Faculty Research Award, and Outstanding Service Award, all from A. James Clark School of Engineering.
Dr. Liu’s research was featured as one of seven technologies that IEEE believes will have world-changing implications on the way humans interact with machines, the world, and each other, in honor of IEEE’s 125th Anniversary.
Dr. Liu’s work has had a profound impact on the field of signal processing and communications, and his leadership and pioneering efforts have been widely acknowledged through various prestigious awards.
The invention of WiFi Sensing and Founding of Origin AI
Dr. Liu’s decades of research and discovery culminated in the invention of WiFi Sensing. Once he understood the boundless potential of WiFi Sensing technology, he founded Origin AI. He is a leader in the space in every sense of the word, responsible for filing over 200 patents covering a wide spectrum of wireless sensing techniques, algorithm constructs, and system designs.
Dr. Liu was also instrumental in creating the IEEE 802.11bf wireless sensing standard, which will have a lasting impact on this emerging industry and on WiFi-enabled products more broadly.
At the end of 2022, Dr. Liu appointed Spencer Maid to succeed him as the new Origin CEO, and they ushered in a new chapter for the company. Dr. Liu continues to play the CTO role, where he leads the Origin Research team and will continue to revolutionize what WiFi can do.
What’s next for Dr. Liu?
Along with his upcoming induction into NAE, Dr. Liu will continue to lead Origin Research, seeking more game-changing discoveries and pushing the boundaries of WiFi Sensing technology.
Dr. Liu’s vision extends far beyond Origin AI’s current success in occupancy detection and home security. He envisions a future where everyday devices – from lightbulbs to cars – are empowered with this technology, creating a seamless “sixth sense” for users.
Imagine a world where your environment adapts to your presence, healthcare is revolutionized with remote monitoring, and child safety in cars is enhanced through WiFi Sensing. These are just a few of the exciting possibilities Origin Research is pioneering. Dr. Liu and his team believe WiFi Sensing is an essential component of the future, shaping a more sustainable, intelligent, and connected world.
Dr. Liu and Origin AI will remain at the forefront of the field.
Recognizing Origin AI’s visionary founder
Dr. Liu’s exceptional guidance has propelled Origin AI and the Origin Research team to new heights. We’re grateful for his leadership and are looking forward to celebrating his well-deserved induction to NAE in September and witnessing this momentous occasion first-hand. Stay tuned for exciting updates on the prestigious ceremony.
Want to see what Dr. Liu and his team are working on? Explore Origin Research.
Dr. Liu and his pioneering team translate possibilities into realities and push technological boundaries. Check out the Origin Research website to access a full suite of resources, education, demonstrations, innovation, and timely news.
Let us know if you want to talk more about what WiFi Sensing can do.
See WiFi Sensing in Origin’s TruPresence™ Security Product
Origin AI’s TruPresence™ technology, developed by Dr. Liu, is unlike anything else on the market. The advanced WiFi Sensing solution has unique and highly effective human presence detection capabilities and leading-edge privacy protocols.
Explore the capabilities of Origin AI and see the power of WiFi Sensing in action. With your everyday devices, you can turn your WiFi signals into WiFi Sensing. Verify human presence and eliminate false alarms caused by pets, fans, or other non-human motion.