Crack Detection in Civil Infrastructure Using Autonomous Robotic Systems: A Synergistic Review of Platforms, Cognition, and Autonomous Action

Traditional manual crack inspection methods often face limitations in terms of efficiency, safety, and consistency. To overcome these issues, a new approach based on autonomous robotic systems has gained attention, combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced sensing technologies. Howev...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Rong Dai, Rui Wang, Chang Shu, Jianming Li, Zhe Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/15/4631
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Summary:Traditional manual crack inspection methods often face limitations in terms of efficiency, safety, and consistency. To overcome these issues, a new approach based on autonomous robotic systems has gained attention, combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and advanced sensing technologies. However, most existing reviews focus on individual components in isolation and fail to present a complete picture of how these systems work together. This study focuses on robotic crack detection and proposes a structured framework that connects three core modules: the physical platform (robots and sensors), the cognitive core (crack detection algorithms), and autonomous action (navigation and planning). We analyze key technologies, their interactions, and the challenges involved in real-world implementation. The aim is to provide a clear roadmap of current progress and future directions, helping researchers and engineers better understand the field and develop smart, deployable systems for infrastructure crack inspection.
ISSN:1424-8220