Current Research Status of Climbing Operation Robots for High-Altitude Welding of Steel Structures

Hanlin Lyu; Hangxin Wei

doi:10.54691/vx52f184

Authors

Hanlin Lyu
Hangxin Wei

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54691/vx52f184

Keywords:

Climbing Robots; Expanded Applications; High-Altitude Welding; Functional and Structural Design.

Abstract

At present, research on high-altitude welding robots remains relatively limited. In outdoor environments, welding operations in areas such as steel structures and high-rise construction are typically performed manually. This practice poses significant risks to workers’ personal safety. To address this design gap, one promising approach is to integrate climbing robots with welding robots. Accordingly, this paper reviews the current state of development of climbing robots from a design perspective and discusses key design considerations for equipping climbing robots with welding modules.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] S. Goka, S.Q. Moinuddin, M. Cheepu, et al.: Welding Practices in Industry 5.0: Opportunities, Challenges, and Applications, Automation in Welding Industry: Incorporating Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Other Technologies (John Wiley & Sons, USA 2024), p.263-279.

[2] Q. Shi, C. Jin, Z. Chen, et al.: On the Welding of Vitrimers: Chemistry, Mechanics and Applications, Advanced Functional Materials, Vol. 33 (2023) No. 36, p.2300288.

[3] K. Xu, Y. Yin and C. Chen: Research and Application Progress of Welding Technology under Extreme Conditions, Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 24 (2024) No. 3, p.182.

[4] C. Shravan, N. Radhika, N.H. Deepak Kumar, et al.: A Review on Welding Techniques: Properties, Characterisations and Engineering Applications, Adv. Mater. Process. Technol., Vol. 10 (2023), p.1126-1181.

[5] Y. Li, Y. Xu, X. Wang, et al.: Key Technologies and Latest Research Progress of Automated Robotic Welding: A Review, Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing(2025), p.1-57.

[6] S. Yaknesh, N. Rajamurugu, P.K. Babu, et al.: A Technical Perspective on Integrating Artificial Intelligence to Solid-State Welding, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Vol. 132 (2024) No. 9, p.4223-4248.

[7] J.T. Kahnamouei and M. Moallem: Advancements in Control Systems and Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Welding Robots: A Review, Ocean Engineering, Vol. 312 (2024), p.119294.

[8] S.L. Zhang: Key Technology Research of High-Voltage Transmission Tower Climbing Robot (MS., Heilongjiang University, China 2024), p.15.

[9] G. Fang and J. Cheng: Advances in Climbing Robots for Vertical Structures in the Past Decade: A Review, Biomimetics, Vol. 8 (2023) No. 1, p.47. DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8010047.

[10] Z.P. Gou, D.X. Geng, H.B. Liu, et al.: Research Progress and Key Technologies of Soft Climbing Robots, Robot Technology and Application, (2024) No. 2, p.22-30. (In Chinese)

[11] S.K. Mahmood, S.H. Bakhy and M.A. Tawfik: Propeller-Type Wall-Climbing Robots: A Review, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 1094 (2021) No. 1, p.012106. DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/1094/1/012106.

[12] M. Xue: Design and Research of a Bolt Tightening Robot for an Angle-Steel Tower Body (MS., University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China 2022), p.73.

[13] W. Yue: Development of a Three-Claw Pole-Climbing Robot (MS., Jilin University, China 2024), p.68.

[14] Y.S. Kou: Design and Motion Characteristic Analysis of Transmission Tower Climbing Robot (MS., Inner Mongolia University of Technology, China 2024), p.58.

[15] T.H. Lin, A. Putranto, P.H. Chen, et al.: High-Mobility Inchworm Climbing Robot for Steel Bridge Inspection, Automation in Construction, Vol. 152 (2023), p.104905.

[16] X. Liu: Research on Control System of Heavy-Load Bionic Climbing Robot (MS., Shandong Jianzhu University, China 2024), p.50.

[17] Jang K, An Y K, Kim B, et al.: Automated Crack Evaluation of a High-Rise Bridge Pier Using a Ring-Type Climbing Robot, Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering, Vol. 36 (2020) No. 1, p.14-29. DOI: 10.1111/mice.12550.

[18] X. Li: Design and Analysis of a Six-Leg Inspection Robot for Wind Turbine Blades (MS., China University of Petroleum (Beijing), China 2023), p.81.

[19] Z.K. Yang: Design, Modeling and Experimental Study of a Bionic Soft Climbing Robot (MS., Nanjing Forestry University, China 2025), p.78.

[20] M. Gao, M. Huang, K. Tang, et al.: Design, Analysis, and Control of a Multilink Magnetic Wheeled Pipeline Robot, IEEE Access, Vol. 10 (2022), p.67168-67180.

[21] Z. Jiang, Z. Ma, Z. Ju, et al.: Design and Analysis of a Wall-Climbing Robot for Passive Adaptive Movement on Variable-Curvature Metal Facades, Journal of Field Robotics, Vol. 40 (2023) No. 1, p.94-109.

[22] S.C. Fang: System Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Bionic Quadruped Climbing Robot (Ph.D., University of Science and Technology of China, China 2024), p.95.

[23] S.R. Nishad, R. Halder, G. Banda, et al.: Development of a Lizard-Inspired Wall-Climbing Robot Using Pressure Sensitive Adhesion, IEEE Access, Vol. 10 (2022), p.72535-72544.

[24] S.K. Mahmood, S.H. Bakhy and M.A. Tawfik: Novel Wall-Climbing Robot Capable of Transitioning and Perching, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 881 (2020) No. 1, p.012049.

[25] W. Myeong and H. Myung: Development of a Wall-Climbing Drone Capable of Vertical Soft Landing Using a Tilt-Rotor Mechanism, IEEE Access, Vol. 7 (2018), p.4868-4879.

[26] C.Q. Tang, B.H. Tong, W. Tang, et al.: Design of a Mining Wire-Rope Lay-Direction Climbing Wheeled Inspection Robot, China Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 35 (2024) No. 10, p.1732-1739. (In Chinese)

[27] T. Kim, Y. Jeon, S. Yoo, et al.: Development of a Wall-Climbing Platform with Modularized Wall-Cleaning Units, Automation in Construction, Vol. 83 (2017), p.1-18.

[28] B. Wei, T. Ding, X.Y. Kong, Y.S. Li, C.Z. Wang and Y. Zhang: A Review of Climbing Robots for Irregular Vertical Structures, Journal of Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications (Natural Science Edition), (published online November 3, 2025), p.1-10. (In Chinese).Information on: https://link.cnki.net/urlid/50.1181.n.20251031.1501.002

[29] X.X. Li: Key Technology Research of a Climbing Coconut Harvesting Robot (MS., Northeast Forestry University, China 2024), p.59.

[30] M. Fu, F. Gao, Z.F. Gao, et al.: TRIZ-Assisted Conceptual Design of Korean Pine Pest Detection Robot, Machinery Design & Manufacture, (2025) No. 8, p.106-111. (In Chinese)

[31] M. Yan: Design of a Gantry Robot Welding Workstation (MS., Harbin University of Commerce, China 2025), p.89.

[32] C.Z. Feng, Y. Luo, Y.B. Xu, et al.: Structural Design and Kinematic Analysis of an All-Position Pipeline Welding Robot, Journal of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Vol. 41 (2024) No. 8, p.1489-1499. (In Chinese)

[33] J.Y. Song: Design and Key Technology Research of a Micro/Small Intelligent Mobile Welding Robot (MS., Anhui University of Technology, China 2023), p.62.

[34] C. Huang, X.G. Miao and J.P. Li: Research on an Internal Welding Robot for Small-Diameter Pipes, Transactions of the China Welding Institution, Vol. 45 (2024) No. 11, p.66-70. (In Chinese)