DOI : https://doi.org/10.62527/comien.2.3.69

Mobile Robot with Integrated Arm Manipulation: A Low-Cost Solution for Remote Robotics

Omar C. Kadhum (1), Amjed Jumaah (2), Munther Abdul Ameer Alsudani (3), Nawal Naji Amsir (4), Ruaa Hussein Hyara (5), Husham Hadi Nghalmesh (6), Zainab AbdulKadhim Najm (7)
(1) AI Engineering Department, Collage of Engineering, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
(2) AI Engineering Department, Collage of Engineering, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
(3) Department of Computer Techniques Engineering, Imam Alkadhim University College, Baghdad, Iraq
(4) AI Engineering Department, Collage of Engineering, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
(5) AI Engineering Department, Collage of Engineering, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
(6) AI Engineering Department, Collage of Engineering, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
(7) AI Engineering Department, Collage of Engineering, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
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Kadhum , O. C., Jumaah , A., Alsudani , M. A. A., Amsir , N. N., Hyara , R. H., Nghalmesh , H. H., & Najm , Z. A. (2025). Mobile Robot with Integrated Arm Manipulation: A Low-Cost Solution for Remote Robotics. International Journal on Computational Engineering, 2(3), 115–121. https://doi.org/10.62527/comien.2.3.69
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This paper presents the development of a cost-effective mobile robotic platform, equipped with a four-degrees-of-freedom (4-DOF) arm manipulator, specifically designed for educational and light industrial applications. The proposed system incorporates a tank-track locomotion mechanism for robust movement across uneven surfaces and features a Bluetooth-based wireless control interface via joystick. Utilizing affordable, off-the-shelf components—including the Arduino Uno microcontroller and SG90 servo motors—the total hardware cost of the system is limited to $150, representing a reduction of over 90% compared to commercial solutions such as the Kinova Gen3 and Robotic RB-1. Experimental trials conducted in semi-structured environments demonstrated a 93% success rate in pick-and-place operations involving objects weighing between 200 g and 500 g. additionally, the system benefits from a modular open-source architecture, enabling rapid customization and scalability. Unlike previous low-cost systems, the proposed MRAM platform integrates both mobility and manipulation capabilities without relying on proprietary hardware. This research offers a reproducible and adaptable solution for low-cost robotics, making it particularly suitable for small enterprises and academic institutions with limited resources.

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