ROS in FIRST ?

[lynca]

I know the Robot Operating System (ROS) topic has been discussed briefly on the forums however the Robotics world is always changing.

Has anyone considered getting the cRio to run ROS client ?

After seeing Lego NXT achieve the ROS hurdle, FRC is definitely a possibility.
http://www.willowgarage.com/blog/2010/09/16/robots-using-ros-part-v-meka-qbo-mini-pr2-lego-nxt

If FRC can make the jump, ROS will provide robots with

Multi-robot autonomous routines
Enhanced data logging
sophisticated path planning and obstacle avoidance


Reply to this thread or PM if your interested in starting a software push for ROS on FRC.

[Greg McKaskle]

The NXT is described as running standard LEGO firmware, so the ROS tools seem to be using it as a drone. The host PC does all the thinking, and via the direct commands that are built into the NXT protocol, ROS directs a motor to turn on or off, reads a sensor, etc. Microsoft Robotics Studio also had NXT support with its tools, though I believe it only supported one model whereas the ROS can load more complex LDD models, and presumably use them more effectively in its steering model, physics modeling, etc.

As for the ROS running on the cRIO, of course it is technically possible. NI Robotics folks have looked into it several times to determine how difficult different levels of ROS support would be and what they would bring to the table. Integration of the LV robotics libraries with ROS would allow for even more tools, but to this point, it hasn't justified the effort.

Greg McKaskle