The DroneHub: a multi-environment testbed for sustainability robotics

npj Robotics 2026 Open access

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Authors: Yusuf Furkan Kaya, David Häusermann, Pham H. Nguyen, Lachlan Orr, Mirko Kovač
DOI: 10.1038/s44182-025-00054-z
Cited by: 3
References: 76

Abstract

As global progress stalls on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, robotics has emerged as crucial for sustainability transformation. However, current testbeds limit robotics research by offering either controlled indoor precision or uncontrolled outdoor realism, creating a critical gap. We propose a sustainability-oriented testbed design framework emphasizing multi-environment representation, modular adaptability, and digital twins. Exemplified by the DroneHub, this approach bridges the lab-field divide, enabling experimentation that is vital for robust and responsible robotics aligned with global sustainability targets.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Social Robot Interaction and HRI Robotics and Sensor-Based Localization Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence

Publication details

Journal / source
npj Robotics
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
4
Issue
1
Publication date
12 January 2026
Language
EN