08-07-2025
SQU developing AI-driven robot for autonomous building inspection
By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Muscat – A research team at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) is developing an autonomous robotic system capable of inspecting multi-storey buildings without the need for human assistance, smart infrastructure or IoT connectivity.
Funded by SQU's Deanship of Research and College of Engineering, the project is led by Dr Gulam Dastagir Khan, with Dr Muhammed Bilal Waris and Dr Taha bin Mubarak al Saadi serving as co-investigators. It brings together researchers from the departments of electrical and computer engineering and civil engineering.
In its first phase, the team designed and tested a quadruped robot capable of operating standard lifts and navigating between floors using only onboard technologies. The robot uses a YOLOv11-based vision system, AprilTag markers for spatial alignment, and a robotic arm with four degrees of freedom to interact with elevator panels. Trials conducted in a four-storey building on the SQU campus demonstrated consistent sub-centimetre navigation accuracy.
In the next stage, the robot will be equipped to carry out detailed building inspections. It will autonomously assess structural elements such as walls, ceilings and door frames, as well as safety infrastructure including fire alarms, extinguishers, sprinkler systems and electrical panels. The robot will also detect issues like leaks, cracks and insulation defects.
