P. Bustamante

University of Piura, Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Técnicas de Gipuzkoa

Papers

Total Citations

187

H-Index

About

P. Bustamante is a pioneering figure in the field of robotic inspection, with a focused expertise in pneumatic wall-climbing robots designed for hazardous industrial environments. His most significant contribution is the development of a compact, modular climbing robot intended for inspection in nuclear power plants, a landmark work published in 2002 that has garnered 127 citations. This robot, which relies exclusively on pneumatic components and vacuum suction cups for adhesion, represents a critical advancement in safety and reliability for operations in dangerous settings. Bustamante’s foundational work began with the ROBICEN project, first introduced in 1994 (53 citations) and further refined in 1998 for pipe and tank inspection (7 citations). His research has directly addressed the challenge of performing non-destructive testing in confined, high-risk spaces, reducing human exposure to radiation. By prioritizing simple, robust pneumatic actuation over more complex systems, Bustamante established a practical, cost-effective approach that has influenced subsequent designs in industrial robotics. His work remains a key reference for engineers developing autonomous systems for nuclear, petrochemical, and other critical infrastructure.