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Advances in Environmental Sensing and Control for Mobile Robotics: Methods, Technologies, and Applications

A special issue of Electronics (ISSN 2079-9292). This special issue belongs to the section "Industrial Electronics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2025) | Viewed by 9944

Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Computing and Telecommunications, Poznan University of Technology, 60-965 Poznan, Poland
Interests: mathematical modeling; programming; electronics; telecommunications; robotics; sensors; control systems engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Information Electronic Systems, Vinnytsia National Technical University, 21021 Vinnytsia, Ukraine
Interests: electronic devices; measurement; sensitivity; sensors; physical quantities transducers; mobile robotic systems; remote control; mathematical model; artificial intelligence; machine learning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the impact of environmental factors on the performance and control of mobile robotic systems. As mobile robots are increasingly used in dynamic and unstructured environments, accurately sensing and responding to environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, wind, and obstacle characteristics is critical for reliable operation. This collection emphasizes advanced sensor technologies, adaptive control mechanisms, and machine learning approaches that improve sensor accuracy and system performance in such challenging environments.

The scope of this Special Issue covers innovations in environmental sensing, the development of models to account for environmental influences on sensor data, and the integration of IoT and AI to enhance environmental awareness in mobile robotics. It welcomes contributions on both hardware and software solutions, experimental studies, and real-world applications across various industries including agriculture, healthcare, autonomous vehicles, and disaster response.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to bridge the knowledge gap by presenting novel research on how environmental factors affect robotic sensors and systems. It aims to push the boundaries of sensor calibration, environmental modeling, and adaptive control, offering solutions that supplement the existing literature. This collection will provide fresh insights into overcoming environmental challenges, thus supporting the next generation of mobile robotic systems that operate effectively in unpredictable environments.

Dr. Serhii Baraban
Prof. Dr. Andriy Semenov
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • mobile robotics
  • environmental sensors
  • ultrasonic rangefinders
  • technical vision systems
  • sensor accuracy
  • atmospheric conditions
  • machine learning in robotics
  • sensor calibration
  • obstacle detection
  • neural networks in robotics

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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32 pages, 4385 KB  
Article
Influence of Environmental Factors on the Accuracy of the Ultrasonic Rangefinder in a Mobile Robotic Technical Vision System
by Andrii Rudyk, Andriy Semenov, Serhii Baraban, Olena Semenova, Pavlo Kulakov, Oleksandr Kustovskyj and Lesia Brych
Electronics 2025, 14(7), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14071393 - 30 Mar 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4186
Abstract
The accuracy of ultrasonic rangefinders is crucial for mobile robotic navigation systems, yet environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind conditions can influence ultrasonic speed in the air. The primary objective is to investigate how environmental factors influence the output [...] Read more.
The accuracy of ultrasonic rangefinders is crucial for mobile robotic navigation systems, yet environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind conditions can influence ultrasonic speed in the air. The primary objective is to investigate how environmental factors influence the output signal of an ultrasonic emitter and to develop a method for improving the accuracy of distance measurements in both outdoor and indoor settings. The research employs a combination of theoretical modeling, statistical analysis, and experimental validation. The research employs an ultrasonic rangefinder integrated with environmental sensors (BME280, Bosch Sensortec GmbH, Kusterdingen, Germany) and wind sensors (WMT700, WINDCAP®, Vaisala Oyj, Vantaa, Finland) to account for environmental influences. Experimental studies were conducted using a prototype ultrasonic rangefinder, and statistical analysis (Student’s t-test) was performed on collected data. The results of estimation by Student’s t-test for 256 measurements demonstrate the maximum effect of air temperature and the minimum effect of relative air humidity on a piezoelectric emitter output signal both outdoors and indoors. In addition, wind parameters affect the rangefinder’s operation. The maximum range of obstacle detection depends on the reflection coefficient of the material that covers the obstacle. The results align with theoretical expectations for highly reflective surfaces. A cascade-forward artificial neural network model was developed to refine distance estimations. This study demonstrates the importance of considering environmental factors in ultrasonic rangefinder systems for mobile robots. By integrating environmental sensors and using statistical analysis, the accuracy of distance measurements can be significantly improved. The results contribute to the development of more reliable navigation systems for mobile robots operating in diverse environments. Full article
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Review

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33 pages, 22059 KB  
Review
Resistive Sensing in Soft Robotic Grippers: A Comprehensive Review of Strain, Tactile, and Ionic Sensors
by Donya Mostaghniyazdi and Shahab Edin Nodehi
Electronics 2025, 14(21), 4290; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14214290 - 31 Oct 2025
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5180
Abstract
Soft robotic grippers have emerged as crucial tools for safe and adaptive manipulation of delicate and different objects, enabled by their compliant structures. These grippers need embedded sensing that offers proprioceptive and exteroceptive feedback in order to function consistently. Resistive sensing is unique [...] Read more.
Soft robotic grippers have emerged as crucial tools for safe and adaptive manipulation of delicate and different objects, enabled by their compliant structures. These grippers need embedded sensing that offers proprioceptive and exteroceptive feedback in order to function consistently. Resistive sensing is unique among transduction processes since it is easy to use, scalable, and compatible with deformable materials. The three main classes of resistive sensors used in soft robotic grippers are systematically examined in this review: ionic sensors, which are emerging multimodal devices that can capture both mechanical and environmental cues; tactile sensors, which detect contact, pressure distribution, and slip; and strain sensors, which monitor deformation and actuation states. Their methods of operation, material systems, fabrication techniques, performance metrics, and integration plans are all compared in the survey. The results show that sensitivity, linearity, durability, and scalability are all trade-offs across sensor categories, with ionic sensors showing promise as a new development for multipurpose soft grippers. There is also a discussion of difficulties, including hysteresis, long-term stability, and signal processing complexity. In order to move resistive sensing from lab prototypes to reliable, practical applications in domains like healthcare, food handling, and human–robot collaboration, the review concludes that developments in hybrid material systems, additive manufacturing, and AI-enhanced signal interpretation will be crucial. Full article
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