How Finishing Materials Affect the Performance of Autonomous Mobile Robots?: An Exploratory Mixed-Method Review

Although it is generally accepted that material characteristics influence the sensing and locomotion of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), this knowledge is mostly anecdotal and remains fragmented. This study aims to shed light on the relationship between building finishing materials and AMR performance. To address the lack of literature on the subject, this exploratory mixed-methods review combines an AMR market survey, collection of failure cases, and review of robot navigation mechanisms. As a result, with additional expert assessment, this study derived a relational diagram containing five primary relationships for sensing (i.e., color on obstacle detection, texture and transparency on obstacle detection and mapping accuracy) and five for locomotion (i.e., slipperiness and unevenness on speed and path consistency, wheel-mark resistance on surface preservation). Potential research themes (e.g., sensitivity by robot specifications, BIM-based information utilization, and robot-specific signage systems) were also derived by thematic analysis. By establishing a foundational research framework that clarifies how architectural material choices dictate robotic reliability, this review contributes to designing experimental scenarios for future empirical validations in robot-inclusive spaces.