Topic: Intelligent Locomotion and Robot–Terrain Interaction: Embodied and Physical Intelligence for Mobile Robots

Intelligent locomotion and robot–terrain interaction are fundamental to enabling mobile robots to operate safely, efficiently, and autonomously in complex, unstructured, and extreme environments. Unlike robots operating in well-structured settings, legged and wheeled robots in natural environments must continuously perceive terrain conditions, understand the physical interactions between the robot and its surroundings, and adapt their motion according to changing environmental constraints. Integrating perception, interaction, learning, and control is therefore essential for developing embodied and physical intelligence that can support robust mobility in the real world.

This Special Topic aims to bring together recent advances in intelligent locomotion, robot–terrain interaction, embodied intelligence, and physical intelligence for legged and wheeled robots. Topics of interest include terrain and environmental perception, terramechanics, multimodal sensing, robot learning, adaptive locomotion, motion planning, autonomous navigation, and physical interaction with complex terrains. Contributions addressing field robotics, planetary exploration, and other challenging environments are particularly encouraged, with an emphasis on methods that enable robots to learn from physical interactions and achieve robust, adaptive, and intelligent locomotion.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

● Intelligent Locomotion and Motion Control;

● Robot–Terrain Interaction and Terramechanics;

● Embodied and Physical Intelligence for Mobile Robots;

● Terrain and Environmental Perception;

● Multimodal Sensing and Physical Interaction;

● Robot Learning and Adaptive Locomotion;

● Learning-Based Motion Planning and Control;

● Autonomous Navigation in Complex Environments;

● Legged and Wheeled Mobile Robots;

● Field and Planetary Exploration Robotics;

● Adaptive and Robust Locomotion;

● Human–Robot Interaction and Teleoperation.

Intelligent locomotion, robot–terrain interaction, embodied intelligence;, physical AI, legged and wheeled robots, mobile robotics, terramechanics, physical property characterization, terrain perception, robot learning, adaptive locomotion,  autonomous navigation, planetary exploration