This paper analyzes the advantages and limitations of known machine learning approaches to cope with the problem of incipient rover embedding detection based on propioceptive signals. In particular, two supervised learning approaches (Support Vector Machines and Feed-forward Neural Networks) are compared to two unsupervised learning approaches (K-means and Self-Organizing Maps) in order to identify various degrees of slip (e.g. low slip, moderate slip, high slip). A real dataset collected by a single-wheel testbed available at MIT has been used to validate each strategy. The SVM algorithm achieves the best performance (accuracy >95 %). However, the SOM algorithm represents a better solution in terms of accuracy and the need of hand-labeled data for training the classifier (accuracy >84 %).