V. Kepplin

FZI Research Center for Information Technology

Papers

Total Citations

146

H-Index

About

V. Kepplin is a pioneer in the field of robotic sewer inspection, focusing on the design and control of articulated, multi-joint robots for autonomous operation in challenging underground environments. Their major contributions include the development of a wireless, multi-link robot capable of navigating obstacles, following sewage branches, and operating without a tether—a significant advancement over traditional cable-controlled, single-link vehicles. Kepplin’s work, spanning from 1999 to 2003, addresses key mechatronic and control challenges, with their most cited paper, "Controlling a multi-joint robot for autonomous sewer inspection" (2002), accumulating 92 citations. This research has laid foundational groundwork for autonomous inspection systems, enhancing safety and efficiency in infrastructure maintenance. Kepplin’s innovative use of fluidic muscle actuators in legged robots further demonstrates their versatility in bio-inspired robotics. Their achievements have influenced subsequent developments in field robotics, particularly in confined-space navigation and wireless control.