Smart Robots for Industrial Inspection: Integrating Micro-Technologies and Intelligent Systems
A special issue of Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X). This special issue belongs to the section "E：Engineering and Technology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2026 | Viewed by 888
Special Issue Editors
Interests: dielectric elastomer actuators and artificial muscle; active multi-stable mechanisms and compliant robots; camouflage discoloration technology based on bionic photonic crystals
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Interests: robots for stroke rehabilitation; brain–computer interface; haptic feedback
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Industrial inspection is increasingly relying on smart robotic systems to achieve high precision, access confined spaces, and operate in hazardous environments. A critical driver of this evolution is the integration of advanced micro-technologies, including micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), micro-sensors, and integrated micro-optics. These micron-scale components empower robots with unparalleled sensing, actuation, and data processing capabilities, enabling them to detect defects, measure parameters, and monitor equipment conditions. They play a critical role in enhancing productivity, ensuring safety, and reducing operational costs by minimizing human involvement in hazardous or repetitive tasks.
Applications of micro–nano and soft industrial inspection robots span across industries such as manufacturing, oil and gas, energy, and infrastructure. For example, they can inspect pipelines for corrosion, examine machinery for wear and tear, or assess structural integrity in confined spaces. With capabilities like autonomous navigation, real-time data analysis from on-board micro-sensors, and remote operation, industrial inspection robots are revolutionizing maintenance practices and contributing to the development of smarter, more efficient industries.
As technology continues to evolve, these robots are becoming increasingly intelligent, collaborative, and adaptable, paving the way for fully automated industrial inspection solutions. Therefore, we invite submissions that explore the convergence of robotics, microtechnology, and artificial intelligence. This Issue aims to showcase how miniaturized smart systems are pushing the boundaries of what industrial inspection robots can achieve, leading to safer, more efficient, and more intelligent operations.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Microscale and soft robots.
- Navigation and positioning.
- Micro- and nano-sensor integration and data fusion.
- AI and machine learning for robots.
- Robotic systems for complex environments.
- Case studies and real-world implementations.
Prof. Dr. Bo Li
Dr. Min Li
Prof. Dr. Xiaoling Li
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Micromachines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- soft robot
- micro robots
- industrial robot
- control strategy
- measurement and inspection
- intelligent operation and maintenance
- advanced sensors and micro-sensors integration
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