journal article·2025-07-11Open access

Data-Driven Selection of Decontamination Robot Locomotion Based on Terrain Compatibility Scoring Models

Prithvi Krishna Chittoor, A. Jayasurya, Sriniketh Konduri, Eduardo Sanchez Cruz, S. M. Bhagya P. Samarakoon, M. A. Viraj J. Muthugala, Mohan Rajesh Elara

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 14

Abstract

Decontamination robots are becoming more common in environments where reducing human exposure to hazardous substances is essential, including healthcare settings, laboratories, and industrial cleanrooms. Designing terrain-capable decontamination robots quickly is challenging due to varying operational surfaces and mobility limitations. To tackle this issue, a structured recommendation framework is proposed to automate selecting optimal locomotion types and track configurations, significantly cutting down design time. The proposed system features a two-stage evaluation process: first, it creates an annotated compatibility score matrix by validating locomotion types against a robust dataset based on factors like friction coefficient, roughness, payload capacity, and slope gradient; second, it employs a weighted scoring model to rank wheel/track types based on their appropriateness for the identified environmental conditions. User needs are processed dynamically using a large language model, enabling flexible and scalable management of various deployment scenarios. A prototype decontamination robot was developed following the proposed algorithm’s guidance. This framework speeds up the configuration process and establishes a foundation for more intelligent, terrain-aware robot design workflows that can be applied to industrial, healthcare, and service robotics sectors.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Robotic Locomotion and Control · Soft Robotics and Applications · Robotic Path Planning Algorithms

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Engineering Product Development Pillar, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore 487372, Singapore

Funding

National Environment Agency, Singapore

References (41)

Show source-provided references
1. Petereit, J., Beyerer, J., Asfour, T., Gentes, S., Hein, B., Hanebeck, U.D., Kirchner, F., Dillmann, R., Götting, H.H., and Weiser, M. (2019, January 2). ROBDEKON: Robotic systems for decontamination in hazardous environments. Proceedings of the 2019 IEEE International Symposium on Safety, Security, and Rescue Robotics (SSRR), Würzburg, Germany.10.1109/SSRR.2019.8848969 ↗
2. ROBDEKON–competence center for decontamination robotics10.1515/auto-2022-0072 ↗
3. A comparison of decontamination methods used for dental burs10.1038/sj.bdj.4811832 ↗
4. A prospective randomized trial comparing manual and automated endoscope disinfection methods10.1086/646766 ↗
5. Robotic systems for decontamination in hazardous environments: To boldly go where many still work today10.1515/auto-2022-0121 ↗
6. Trevelyan, J., Hamel, W.R., and Kang, S.-C. (2016). Robotics in hazardous applications. Springer Handbook of Robotics, Springer.10.1007/978-3-319-32552-1_58 ↗
7. Using unmanned aerial vehicles and robotics in hazardous locations safely10.1002/prs.12066 ↗
8. Liu, S., He, Y., Xie, H., Ge, Y., Lin, Y., Yao, Z., Jin, M., Liu, J., Chen, X., and Sun, Y. (2022). A state-of-the-art review of radioactive decontamination technologies: Facing the upcoming wave of decommissioning and dismantling of nuclear facilities. Sustainability, 14.10.3390/su14074021 ↗
9. Al-Dubooni, M., Wong, C., and Althoefer, K. (2024, January 14–18). Hybrid Continuum-Eversion Robot: Precise Navigation and Decontamination in Nuclear Environments using Vine Robot. Proceedings of the 2024 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.10.1109/IROS58592.2024.10801985 ↗
10. Development of a decommissioning robot with a simple structure capable of traversing steps using two different drive systems10.20965/jrm.2024.p0095 ↗
11. Optimization of Rocker–Bogie Suspension System for Robustness Improvement of Autonomous Rover by Numerical Simulations for Irregular Surfaces in Precision Agriculture
12. Mani-GPT: A generative model for interactive robotic manipulation10.1016/j.procs.2023.10.649 ↗
13. Generative transformers for design concept generation
14. Leveraging Generative AI Prompt Programming for Human-Robot Collaborative Assembly10.1016/j.procir.2024.03.040 ↗
15. Chatgpt for robotics: Design principles and model abilities10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3387941 ↗
16. Fitriawijaya, A., and Jeng, T. (2024). Integrating multimodal generative AI and blockchain for enhancing generative design in the early phase of architectural design process. Buildings, 14.10.20944/preprints202407.1437.v1 ↗
17. Design and prototyping of autonomous ball wheel mobile robots
18. Review of modelling and control of two-wheeled robots10.1016/j.arcontrol.2013.03.004 ↗
19. Moreno, J., Clotet, E., Lupiañez, R., Tresanchez, M., Martínez, D., Pallejà, T., Casanovas, J., and Palacín, J. (2016). Design, implementation and validation of the three-wheel holonomic motion system of the assistant personal robot (APR). Sensors, 16.10.3390/s16101658 ↗
20. Vikram, C., Jeyabal, S., Chittoor, P.K., Pookkuttath, S., Elara, M.R., and You, W. (2024). KOALA: A Modular Dual-Arm Robot for Automated Precision Pruning Equipped with Cross-Functionality Sensor Fusion. Agriculture, 14.10.3390/agriculture14101852 ↗
21. Energy efficient path planning for autonomous ground vehicles with ackermann steering10.1016/j.robot.2023.104366 ↗
22. Performance-oriented coordinated adaptive robust control for four-wheel independently driven skid steer mobile robot10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2754647 ↗
23. Design of a synchro-drive omnidirectional mini-robot
24. Seidla, A. (2008, January 21–23). Actively articulated suspension for a four-wheeled vehicle. Proceedings of the DS 50: Proceedings of NordDesign 2008 Conference, Tallinn, Estonia.
25. Schempf, H. (2003). AURORA—Minimalist Design for Tracked Locomotion. Robotics Research, Proceedings of the Tenth International Symposium, Lorne, Victoria, Australia, 9–12 November 2001, Springer.10.1007/3-540-36460-9_30 ↗
26. Accurate path tracing of a tracked robot: A modified PID approach with slip compensation10.1088/2631-8695/ada1a1 ↗
27. Analysis of an all-terrain tracked robot with innovative suspension system10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2023.105237 ↗
28. Malik, S.M., Lin, J., and Goldenberg, A.A. (2006, January 7–10). Virtual prototyping for conceptual design of a tracked mobile robot. Proceedings of the 2006 Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ottawa, ON, Canada.10.1109/CCECE.2006.277740 ↗
29. Guo, W., Qiu, J., Xu, X., and Wu, J. (2022). Talbot: A track-leg transformable robot. Sensors, 22.10.3390/s22041470 ↗
30. A hybrid tracked-wheeled multi-directional mobile robot10.1115/1.4043599 ↗
31. Kinugasa, T., Otani, Y., Haji, T., Yoshida, K., Osuka, K., and Amano, H. (2008, January 22–26). A proposal of flexible mono-tread mobile track—A new mobile mechanism using one track and spine-like structure—. Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Nice, France.10.1109/IROS.2008.4650767 ↗
32. High climbing and obstacle-crossing performance intelligent tracked inspection robot for cable trenches10.1108/IR-04-2024-0184 ↗
33. An Analytical Model for Predicting Ground Pressure under a Rigid-Flexible Tracked Vehicle on Soft Ground
34. Nodehi, S.E., Bruzzone, L., Lalegani Dezaki, M., Zolfagharian, A., and Bodaghi, M. (2024). Porcospino Flex: A Bio-Inspired Single-Track Robot with a 3D-Printed, Flexible, Compliant Vertebral Column. Robotics, 13.10.3390/robotics13050076 ↗
35. Chen, X., Wu, Y., Hao, H., Shi, H., and Huang, H. (2019). Tracked wall-climbing robot for calibration of large vertical metal tanks. Appl. Sci., 9.10.3390/app9132671 ↗
36. Li, N., Wang, F., Ren, S., Cheng, X., Wang, G., and Li, P. (2025). A Review on the Recent Development of Planar Snake Robot Control and Guidance. Mathematics, 13.10.3390/math13020189 ↗
37. Li, W., Hu, D., and Yang, L. (2023). Actuation mechanisms and applications for soft robots: A comprehensive review. Appl. Sci., 13.10.3390/app13169255 ↗
38. Yanagida, T., Elara Mohan, R., Pathmakumar, T., Elangovan, K., and Iwase, M. (2017). Design and implementation of a shape shifting rolling-crawling-wall-climbing robot. Appl. Sci., 7.10.3390/app7040342 ↗
39. Xue, J., Huangfu, J., Hou, Y., and Mou, H. (2025). Combining Prior Knowledge and Reinforcement Learning for Parallel Telescopic-Legged Bipedal Robot Walking. Mathematics, 13.10.3390/math13060979 ↗
40. Qiu, X., Yu, Z., Meng, L., Chen, X., Zhao, L., Huang, G., and Meng, F. (2022). Upright and crawling locomotion and its transition for a wheel-legged robot. Micromachines, 13.10.3390/mi13081252 ↗
41. Li, Q., Cicirelli, F., Vinci, A., Guerrieri, A., Qi, W., and Fortino, G. (2025). Quadruped Robots: Bridging Mechanical Design, Control, and Applications. Robotics, 14.10.3390/robotics14050057 ↗