Screw-driven robots have found extensive applications in operations across soft and wet terrains such as river and beach mudflats, swamps, wetlands, and snowfields, due to their merits of low ground pressure, high thrust capacity, and superior mobility. The developmental trajectory of screw-driven robots was first traced from the 18th century onward, then their locomotion principles were analyzed. It proceeds to systematically summarize and elaborate on the current state of domestic and international research, with a focus on key aspects: the screw propulsion mechanism and its actuation system, optimization of structural parameters for screw-based propulsion, the interaction mechanism between the locomotion system and environmental media, and modeling of the propulsion unit along with its motion control strategies. The development trends and research hotspots of the spiral-propulsion robot were discussed, namely, the study of more reasonable topological structures of multi-spiral propulsion mechanisms and their more optimal parameter combinations, further revealing the interaction mechanism between the spiral propulsion mechanism and the environmental medium, constructing more accurate dynamic models, and researching intelligent control algorithms for the spiral-propulsion robot, expanding its multi-scenario applications, with the aim of providing references for the research and application of spiral-propulsion robots.
XUE Guang-hui, LIU Wen-hai, ZHANG Meng-liang, GONG Li, LI Xu.
State-of-the-art and Development Trend of Screw-propelled Robot[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(21): 8855-8869 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2503407
由于动力学模型不完善,现阶段螺旋推进机器人的控制主要基于运动学模型,控制方法相对较为简单,难以实现精确控制。需研究多螺旋同步与差速控制的协同控制策略,设计控制算法,如PID、滑模控制、强化学习,实现多螺旋的精确同步或差速调节,尤其在急转、突加负载等高动态工况下保持稳定性。难点在于动态工况下的参数自适应问题。实际应用中,最优参数组合可能随工况实时变化,但现有参数优化多为离线静态优化,缺乏在线自适应机制。如何实现“感知-决策-参数调整”的快速闭环(如基于传感器反馈的动态参数重构)仍需突破。研究鲁棒性强的现代或智能控制方法,可减少在运动控制中对机器人模型的依赖性,实现螺旋推进机器人的精确运动控制。滑模控制对干扰和未建模动态具有很强的鲁棒性。自抗扰控制不依赖系统的精确模型,可直接利用被控对象的输入输出信息对系统状态以及“总扰动”进行估计并在线补偿。神经网络可以对动力学模型参数进行估计,以及对动力学模型误差进行补偿。为此,为应对任务执行中的环境不确定性,需研究其智能化问题。螺旋推进机器人可利用SLAM(simultaneous localization and mapping)技术感知周围环境和自身位置。利用机器人路径规划算法结合自身可直行、横移和差速转向的特点,自动规划行进路线并进行路径跟踪控制,从而提高作业效率。
XieXiaolin, GaoFeng. Tractive performance analysis of transformable wheel on soft terrain[J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society for Agricultural Machinery, 2016, 47(S1): 457-463.
ZhangYu, LiuXixia, LiJun, et al. Study on ramp steering of tracked vehicles on soft terrain[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2021, 21(3): 1011-1016.
LiJun, ZhangYu, LiQiang, et al. Track structural optimization on marshy soil based on three-dimensional model[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2013, 13(19): 5613-5616, 5626.
WuJian, CuiZhengqing, YangShengwang, et al. Design and experiment of a microspiral propulsion weed control machine for paddy field[J]. Journal of Hunan Agricultural University(Natural Sciences), 2024, 50(4): 89-94.
XuPengfei, WangZipeng, LinHailong, et al. Research on screw propulsion performance of amphibious robot[J]. Journal of Unmanned Undersea Systems, 2024, 32(6): 1063-1071.
[11]
SandakovM Y, MukhinaM L, ShurinaA A, et al. The study of seaworthiness of universal rescue vehicle with rotary screw propeller[C]// International Conference on Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Application. Paris: Atlantis Press, 2015: 103-105.
[12]
ThoesenA, MarviH. Planetary surface mobility and exploration: a review[J]. Current Robotics Reports, 2021, 2(3): 239-249.
[13]
YongP. Amphibious detection system for drainage pipes base on deep learning[C]// International Conference on Smart Transportation and City Engineering. Bellingham: SPIE, 2022: 634-638.
LiangXifeng, LuXinyu, ZhengLiwen, et al. Development of the walking system for spiral-propelled tidal flat shellfish harvesting device[J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 2024, 40(24): 11-19.
[18]
VillacrésJ, BarczykM, LipsettM. Literature review on archimedean screw propulsion for off-road vehicles[J]. Journal of Terramechanics, 2023, 108: 47-57.
[19]
SchreiberD A, RichterF, BilanA, et al. ARCSnake: an archimedes’ screw-propelled, reconfigurable serpentine robot for complex environments[C]// IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. Piscataway: IEEE, 2020: 7029-7034.
GuoXiaolin, LiuJie, ZhaoYan, et al. Summarization of research on screw-propelled vehicle[J]. Agricultural Equipment & Vehicle Engineering, 2014, 52(4): 14-17.
LiJun, LuJiguo, XuLei, et al. Overview of research and application of screw-propelled device for amphibious vehicle[J]. Equipment Manufacturing Technology, 2023(11): 165-169.
LaoJunming, ChenZhi, LiangWenji, et al. Effects of spiral blades on shipping performance and structural optimization[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2024, 24(27): 11631-11637.
LuMing, LiaoHualin, XiaPing, et al. Analysis of the hydraulic performance of variable-thickness helical turbine[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2025, 25(6): 2341-2348.
[28]
DugoffH, EhlichI R. Model tests of bouyant screw rotor configurations[J]. Journal of Terramechanics, 1967, 4(3): 9-22.
[29]
Unofficial Networks. This snowmotor built in 1926 is still unstoppable today[EB/OL]. (2021-12-20) [2026-01-28]. https://unofficialnetworks.com/2021/12/20/this-snowmotor-built-in-1926-is-still-unstoppable-today/.
[30]
GortonJ V. New amphibious vehicle programs: Part II: design of the marsh screw amphibian[J]. Naval Engineers Journal, 1965, 77(3): 407-412.
[31]
OshimaM, KomotoM, NakamuraM. Development of archimedean screw tractor[C]// Offshore Technology Conference. Houston: SPE, 1982: 71-75.
[32]
PerezM L, GraszE L. Using intelligent automation and manipulation to tame the hostile environment[C]// Robotics 98. Reston, Virginia: ASCE Press, 1998: 92-98.
[33]
KocakD M, NeelyJ W, HoltJ, et al. A specialized ROV for cleaning groundwater recharge basins[J]. IEEE Xplore, 1999, 2: 567-579.
[34]
NagaokaK, OtsukiM, KubotaT, et al. Terramechanics-based propulsive characteristics of mobile robot driven by archimedean screw mechanism on soft soil[C]// IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems. Piscataway: IEEE, 2010: 4946-4951.
[35]
OsińskiD, SzykiedansK. Small remotely operated screw-propelled vehicle[C]// Progress in Automation, Robotics and Measuring Techniques: Volume 2 Robotics. Berlin:Springer International Publishing, 2015: 191-200.
[36]
ThoesenA, RamirezS, MarviH. Screw-powered propulsion in granular media: an experimental and computational study[C]// 2018 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation. Piscataway: IEEE, 2018: 4283-4288.
VasilyevI A, DorofeevR A, KorushovaJ V, et al. The development of the new type universal collective survival craft with unmanned control function for evacuation of personnel in emergency situations of natural and technogenic character on the arctic shelf[C]// Scientific-Practical Conference“Research and Development-2016”. Berlin:Springer International Publishing, 2018: 199-207.
[39]
VakhidovU S, YerasovI A, MolevY I, et al. Comparative study of impression and cutting into ice by helical blade[C]// IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. England: IOP Publishing, 2021, 1086(1): 012009.
[40]
AbramovaE, MashorinG, MolevY, et al. The simulations of helical blade interaction with ice[C]// MATEC Web of Conferences. Paris: EDP Sciences, 2018, 245(3): 17002.
[41]
ErasovI A, MolevY I, MokerovD S, et al. Determining friction coefficient between the base cylinder of rotary screw propulsion unit and various ice types in different daylight surface[C]// IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. England: IOP Publishing, 2018, 386(1): 012006.
[42]
VahidovU, BelyaevA, MakarovV, et al. Case study: regulation of noise produced by a rotary-screw propulsion unit in an all-terrain vehicle[C]// 6th International Conference on Vehicle Technology and Intelligent Transport Systems. Setúbal: SCITEPRESS-Science and Technology Publications, 2020: 548-551.
[43]
GreenM, McbryanT, MickD, et al. Regolith excavation performance of a screw-propelled vehicle[J]. Advanced Intelligent Systems, 2023, 5(3): 2100125.
LuHaiying, WangBiao, HanJun, et al. Research on the development of spiral amphibious walking mechanism[C]// Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference of the National Ground Machine System Society. Zhenjiang: Jiangsu University of Technology, 1998: 25-32.
FengChuangchuang, ZhouYong, TuMing, et al. Design and experiment of serew-propelled type lotus root digging machine[J]. Journal of Gansu Agricultural University, 2020, 55(4): 191-199.
[50]
刘沿. 双螺旋推进式挖藕机关键部件设计与试验[D]. 武汉: 华中农业大学, 2023.
[51]
LiuYan. Design and experiment of key components for twin screw propelled lotus root digger[D]. Wuhan: Huazhong Agricultural University, 2023.
JinHangjia, WuWenfu, WuZidan, et al. Design and experiment of screw drive granary robot running on the loose grain surface[J]. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 2021, 37(2): 20-26.
[54]
JinH, LinJ, WuW, et al. Interaction mechanics model for screw-drive wheel of granary robot traveling on the loose grain terrain[J]. Journal of Field Robotics, 2022, 39(6): 827-839.
[55]
YanK, XuP F, LinH L, et al. CSUB: design and modeling of an autonomous screw-driven amphibious vehicle[J]. Journal of Ocean Engineering and Science, 2025, 10(6): 1031-1045.
[56]
FreebergJ T. A study of omnidirectional quad-screw-drive configurations for all-terrain locomotion[D]. Tampa: University of South Florida, 2010.
[57]
OladunjoyeO, MaffattoneC, Al-NawalJ, et al. Omnidirectional all-terrain screw-driven robot design, modeling, and application in humanitarian demining[J]. IFAC-PapersOnLine, 2022, 55(27): 7-12.
[58]
KoshurinaA A, KrasheninnikovM S, DorofeevR A. Strength calculation and analysis of equalizer beam embodiments for the operated equalizing beam suspension of the universal rotor-screw rescue vehicle for the arctic[J]. Procedia Engineering, 2016, 150: 1263-1269.
[59]
Canelon-SuarezD, WangY, PapanikolopoulosN. Omnibot: a small versatile robotic platform capable of air, ground, and underwater operation[C]// 2020 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Piscataway: IEEE, 2020: 1742-1747.
[60]
SeoC K, SonD H, LeeK U, et al. SPIRA: screw wheel-based mobile robot for switching primitives[J]. International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, 2024, 25(2): 295-302.
LuJiguo, XuLei, LiJun, et al. A spiral cross-medium all-terrain traveling device and its control method: CN202211581732.5[P]. 2023-03-10.
[63]
SafarM J A, SamsolM H, IsmailA H, et al. Design and development of a reconfigurable screw-wheeled omnidirectional mobile robot[C]// IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. England: IOP Publishing, 2019, 705(1): 012041.
XueYuanye, PengYouduo, LiuGuangping. A kind of unilateral double-barrel spiral propulsion traveling device applicable to the seabed: CN217022848U[P]. 2022-07-22.
[66]
LibermanY, ShonokhovaN, LukashukO. Development of control systems for screw propellers[C] // 6th International Conference on Industrial Engineering. Berlin:Springer International Publishing, 2021: 857-863.
GaoKuidong, LinLisong, ZengQinliang, et al, A kind of double-end screw transportation type water sump cleaning device: CN202110143336.3[P]. 2021-06-11.
LiuNan, LiuTengda, ChenSonggui, et al. Parameter design and analysis of screw propeller for port underwater dredging robot[J/OL]. Journal of Tianjin University of Technology, 1-8[2026-03-03]. https://link.cnki.net/urlid/12.1374.N.20251013.1849.020.
[71]
董平. 新型粮面机器人行走结构的设计与优化[D]. 长春: 吉林大学, 2021.
[72]
DongPing. Design and optimization of walking structure of new grain surface robot[D]. Changchun: Jilin University, 2021.
[73]
SeoC, LeeK, SonD, et al. Robust design of a screw-based crawling robot on a granular surface[J]. IEEE Access, 2021, 9: 103988-103995.
[74]
ColeB N. Inquiry into amphibious screw traction[J]. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1961, 175(1): 919-940.
[75]
StrizhakA, VakhidovU, LipinA, et al. Modelling of vehicles with rotary-screw propulsion unit along water-flooded substructure[C]// Journal of Physics: Conference Series. England: IOP Publishing, 2019, 1177(1): 012039.
[76]
张栩汉. 无人艇螺旋推进机构设计及滚筒加工工艺研究[D]. 沈阳: 沈阳理工大学, 2024.
[77]
ZhangXuhan. Design of screw propulsion mechanism for unmanned surface vessel and research on drum processing technology[D]. Shenyang: Shenyang Ligong University, 2024.
[78]
徐亮. 螺旋推进式水陆两栖移动平台结构设计与仿真分析[D]. 合肥: 安徽建筑大学, 2025.
[79]
XuLiang. Structural design and simulation analysis of a screw-propelled amphibious mobile platform[D]. Hefei: Anhui Jianzhu University, 2025.
[80]
NeumeyerM J, JonesB D. The marsh screw amphibian[J]. Journal of Terramechanics, 1965, 2(4): 83-88.
[81]
ThoesenA, McBryanT, MickD, et al. Granular scaling laws for helically driven dynamics[J]. Physical Review E, 2020, 102(3): 032902.
[82]
JinH J, LinJ Z, WuW F, et al. Interaction mechanics model for screw-drive wheel of granary robot traveling on the loose grain terrain[J]. Journal of Field Robotics, 2022, 39(6): 827-839.
[83]
LimJ, JoyceC, PeirosE, et al.Mobility analysis of screw-based locomotion and propulsion in various media[C] //2023 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA). London: IEEE, 2023: 7317-7323.
ChenLeilei, RenWanchuan, LiJun, et al. Design and performance analysis of spiral drive device of crab pond bait boat[J]. Fishery Modernization, 2022, 49(3): 27-35.
[86]
杨生旺. 新型稻田微型螺旋推进除草机的设计与试验[D]. 杭州: 浙江科技学院, 2022.
[87]
YangShengwang. Design and experimental study of a new paddy micro screw propulsion weeder[D]. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, 2022.
ChenBenzao. Structural design and simulation optimization of flat grain robot based on spiral propulsion[D]. Hangzhou: Hangzhou Dianzi University, 2023.
[90]
DonohueB, BeknalkarS, BishopR, et al. Modeling underwater propulsion of a helical drive using computational fluid dynamics for an amphibious rover[C]// ASME 2023 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. New York: ASME, 2023: 113954.
[91]
GaoK, WeiH, XuW, et al. Simulation and analysis of propulsive performance for screw propulsion inspection robot[J]. Powder Technology, 2024, 43(4): 119300.
[92]
张栩汉. 螺旋滚筒升角对颗粒推力的影响[J]. 一重技术, 2024(1): 25-27.
[93]
ZhangXuhan. Effect of screw drum lift angle on propelling force to particles[J]. CFHI Technology, 2024(1): 25-27.
[94]
LiedkeJ, WinklerL, WörnH. An alternative locomotion unit for mobile modular self-reconfigurable robots based on archimedes screws[C]// 2013 9th International Symposium on Mechatronics and Its Applications. Piscataway: IEEE, 2013: 6547397.
GuoXiaolin, LiuJie, SunWei, et al. Analysis on steering kinematics of screw-driven vehicle[J]. Agricultural Equipment & Vehicle Engineering, 2014, 52(10): 20-24.
[97]
林吉照. 螺旋驱动式平粮机器人姿态控制及系统设计[D]. 长春: 吉林大学, 2023.
[98]
LinJizhao. Attitude control and system design of screw-driven flat-grain robot[D]. Changchun: Jilin University, 2023.
[99]
LugoJ H, RamadossV, ZoppiM, et al. Kinematic modeling of an omnidirectional reconfigurable screw-propelled mobile robot[C]// 20th International Conference on Climbing and Walking Robots and the Support Technologies for Mobile Machines. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing, 2018: 465-473.
[100]
NagaokaK, KubotaT. Modeling and analysis on exploration rover with screw drive mechanism over loose soil[C]// 10th International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation in Space. Tokyo: Fuji Technology Press Ltd., 2010: 162-169.
GuoXiaolin, LiuJie, SunWei, et al. Analysis of simulation on steering dynamics performance of screw-driven vehicle[J]. Journal of Academy of Armored Force Engineering, 2015, 29(2): 47-51.
[103]
HeD, LongL. Design and analysis of a novel multifunctional screw-propelled vehicle[C]// IEEE International Conference on Unmanned Systems. Piscataway: IEEE, 2017: 324-330.
[104]
DachlikaT, ZarroukD. Mechanics of locomotion of a double screw crawling robot[J]. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2020, 153: 104010.
[105]
BeknalkarS, VaranwalA, LynchR, et al. Modeling and analysis of terrestrial locomotion dynamics of helical drive-propelled multi-terrain vehicles[C]// ASME 2023 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. New York: ASME, 2023: 111018.
[106]
BeknalkarS, BishopR, BryantM, et al. Demonstration and dynamic model validation of underwater locomotion of a submersible screw-propelled vehicle[C]// OCEANS 2024-Halifax. Piscataway: IEEE, 2024: 10754375.
[107]
DonohueB, BeknalkarS, BryantM, et al. A dynamic model for underwater propulsion of an amphibious rover developed from kane’s method[C]// ASME 2023 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. New York: ASME, 2023: 113559.
[108]
KurinjimalarL, AnithaN, MaliniV, et al. Screw propelled autonomous amphibian waste collector[C]// 4th International Conference on Computing and Communications Technologies. Piscataway: IEEE, 2021: 391-395.
[109]
秦玉广. 稻田螺旋除草机器人视觉导航技术研究[D]. 杭州: 浙江科技大学, 2024.
[110]
QinYuguang. Research on visual navigation technology of rice field spiral weeding robot[D]. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, 2024.
[111]
BeknalkarS, BryantM, MazzoleniA. Algorithm for locomotion mode selection, energy estimation and path planning for a multi-terrain screw-propelled vehicle for arctic exploration[C]// 2024 IEEE International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Mechatronics. Piscataway: IEEE, 2024: 1462-1467.