Mobile Robots for Lifting and Transporting Objects of Any Shape – A Review

Abstract The integration of robotic systems in industrial, logistics, and service environments has accelerated due to rising demands for automation and efficiency. While traditional robots excel in repetitive tasks within structured settings, they face limitations with irregular objects and dynamic conditions. This has led to the emergence of mobile robots as a solution for flexible and scalable operations. This paper reviews the development of robotic systems designed for co-manipulation and transportation of objects of varying shapes and sizes. Emphasis is placed on adaptive gripping technologies, modular designs, and hybrid control architectures combining centralized and distributed coordination. Equipped with advanced sensors and real-time decision-making algorithms, these robots address key challenges in unstructured environments. The study outlines their benefits for applications in logistics, manufacturing, and rescue, while bridging gaps in existing research on irregular load handling.