A method includes identifying a target surface in an environment of a robotic device. The method further includes controlling a moveable component of the robotic device to move along a motion path relative to the target surface, wherein the moveable component comprises a light source and a camera. The method additionally includes receiving a plurality of images from the camera when the moveable component is at a plurality of poses along the motion path and when the light source is illuminating the target surface. The method also includes determining bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) image data, wherein the BRDF image data comprises the plurality of images converted to angular space with respect to the target surface. The method further includes determining, based on the BRDF image data and by applying at least one pre-trained machine learning model, a material property of the target surface.