This paper presents the novel concept of a miniaturised robotised machine-tool, Mini-RoboMach, consisting of a walking hexapod robot (WalkingHex) and a Slender Continuum Arm (SCArm). By combining the mobility of a walking robot with the positioning accuracy of a machine tool, with its 24 + 25 degrees of freedom (DoFs), camera-based calibration system, laser scanner and two end-effectors of opposed orientations, the proposed system can provide a versatile tool for in-situ work (e.g. repair) in hazardous/unreachable locations in large installations.

Although Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs) generally provide adequate accuracy for outdoor localization, this is not the case for indoor environments, due to signal obstruction. Therefore, a self-contained localization scheme is beneficial under such circumstances. Modern sensors and algorithms endow moving robots with the capability to perceive their environment, and enable the deployment of novel localization schemes, such as odometry, or Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM). The former focuses on incremental localization, while the latter stores an interpretable map of the environment concurrently. In this context, this paper conducts a comprehensive review of sensor modalities, including Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), radio detection and ranging (radar), and cameras, as well as applications of polymers in these sensors, for indoor odometry. Furthermore, analysis and discussion of the algorithms and the fusion frameworks for pose estimation and odometry with these sensors are performed. Therefore, this paper straightens the pathway of indoor odometry from principle to application. Finally, some future prospects are discussed.

The scope of this paper is to present a novel gait methodology in order to obtain an efficient walking capability for an original walking free-leg hexapod structure (WalkingHex) of tri-radial symmetry. Torque in the upper (actuated) spherical joints and stability margin analyses are obtained based on a constraint-driven gait generator. Therefore, the kinematic information of foot pose and angular orientation of the platform are considered as important variables along with the effect that they can produce in different gait cycles. The torque analysis is studied to determine the motor torque requirements for each step of the gait so that the robotic structure yields a stable and achievable pose. In this way, the analysis of torque permits the selection of an optimal gait based on stability margin criteria. Consequently, a gait generating algorithm is proposed for different types of terrain such as flat, ramp or stepped surfaces