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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Main Authors: Rong Dai, Rui Wang, Chang Shu, Jianming Li, Zhe Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/15/4631
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author Rong Dai
Rui Wang
Chang Shu
Jianming Li
Zhe Wei
author_facet Rong Dai
Rui Wang
Chang Shu
Jianming Li
Zhe Wei
author_sort Rong Dai
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1424-8220
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Sensors
spelling doaj-art-e03c461eacf5424d8306376be600dc382025-08-20T03:36:23ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-07-012515463110.3390/s25154631Crack Detection in Civil Infrastructure Using Autonomous Robotic Systems: A Synergistic Review of Platforms, Cognition, and Autonomous ActionRong Dai0Rui Wang1Chang Shu2Jianming Li3Zhe Wei4School of Computer Science, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaSchool of Computer Science, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaSchool of Computer Science, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaSchool of Computer Science, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaSchool of Computer Science, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan 618307, ChinaTraditional 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/15/4631roboticsautonomous inspection crack detectioncomputer vision
spellingShingle Rong Dai
Rui Wang
Chang Shu
Jianming Li
Zhe Wei
Crack Detection in Civil Infrastructure Using Autonomous Robotic Systems: A Synergistic Review of Platforms, Cognition, and Autonomous Action
Sensors
robotics
autonomous inspection crack detection
computer vision
title Crack Detection in Civil Infrastructure Using Autonomous Robotic Systems: A Synergistic Review of Platforms, Cognition, and Autonomous Action
title_full Crack Detection in Civil Infrastructure Using Autonomous Robotic Systems: A Synergistic Review of Platforms, Cognition, and Autonomous Action
title_fullStr Crack Detection in Civil Infrastructure Using Autonomous Robotic Systems: A Synergistic Review of Platforms, Cognition, and Autonomous Action
title_full_unstemmed Crack Detection in Civil Infrastructure Using Autonomous Robotic Systems: A Synergistic Review of Platforms, Cognition, and Autonomous Action
title_short Crack Detection in Civil Infrastructure Using Autonomous Robotic Systems: A Synergistic Review of Platforms, Cognition, and Autonomous Action
title_sort crack detection in civil infrastructure using autonomous robotic systems a synergistic review of platforms cognition and autonomous action
topic robotics
autonomous inspection crack detection
computer vision
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/15/4631
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AT changshu crackdetectionincivilinfrastructureusingautonomousroboticsystemsasynergisticreviewofplatformscognitionandautonomousaction
AT jianmingli crackdetectionincivilinfrastructureusingautonomousroboticsystemsasynergisticreviewofplatformscognitionandautonomousaction
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