Self-Powered Robots – A Survey

Abstract

Self-powered robots represent a significant advancement in autonomous robotics, leveraging renewable energy sources such as solar panels, thermoelectric generators, piezoelectric actuators, microbial fuel cells, and RF energy harvesting to operate independently of traditional power supplies. This study presents a comparative analysis of seven self-powered robotic systems,including the Crabbot, Thermoelectric Quadruped, MilliMobile, and Row-bot,evaluating their energy mechanisms, power consumption, control systems, and application domains. Notable findings include the Crabbot's 85 nm resolution and 150 V piezoelectric actuation for precision tasks, the Thermoelectric Quadruped's 703 J/m gait energy cost for geothermal monitoring, and MilliMobile's submillimeter-scale battery-free operation via RF harvesting. These robots are assessed based on critical parameters such as load-to-weight ratio, energy autonomy, and control architecture. The study highlights the growing role of miniaturized, energy-efficient designs in enabling real-world deployment across sectors like pipeline inspection, remote environmental sensing, and disaster response. By identifying performance benchmarks and gaps, this paper offers insight into next-generation, self-sufficient robotics aimed at sustainability, reliability, and broader societal impact.