Virtual Robot System - Introducing VIRSYS (alpha)

[James Critchley]

Originally Posted by robs

Is there a way to simulate a lift device in VIRSYS?

Not in the "alpha" version. We are mainly concerned with showcasing the basic interface to the coding environment. We use LabVIEW and are looking for others to do Java and C++.

I do have the 3D physics to do generic articulated systems (your request). The trick is matching a generic configuration with the visualization and software environment interface. I want to get all of this going in a package that 90% of FRC teams could learn on thier own and use. Unfortunately it's a good size project, I don't have the time on my own to keep development on any kind of schedule, and last year's seniors who were helping have graduated.

The more requests I get, the more likely I will be to find the time to make this work. At this time my reply must be, "please wait for the Beta release which is under intermittent development."

[JohnGilb]

What changes would need to be made in order to support other 4-wheel drive types? (Holonomic, Swerve)?

[James Critchley]

Originally Posted by JohnGilb

What changes would need to be made in order to support other 4-wheel drive types? (Holonomic, Swerve)?

Sorry John, you need the source code for that and it's in no shape for sharing right now.

The intent is to support most any robot in releases beyond "alpha"... Holonomic, nonholonomic, skids and skis, and outriggers are all possible with a small library of configurable wheels and ground contacts. The trouble is getting to a configurable robot software package quickly and making it accessible to everyone.

At the end of next build season I expect to be happy enough with the source code to support an open release and subsequent development of examples in each class of mobility. I do not expect that too many teams will be willing to use the tool in that form. Development would need to continue from there to support interactive design and assembly of robots.

Do you have a particular need? A software testbed for swerve drive was an itch I considered scratching this summer. Sounds like a good off-season programming competition idea for next year.

[JohnGilb]

Good to know it's in the works!

There's no pressing need, but I think software that would let programmers try out new drive types would be a huge asset. One of the things that makes teams wary of implementing holonomic/swerve drive is knowing that the programming for it is going to be more complex than tank drive, and they don't want to hit all the painful issues during the season.

Having a virtual playground where you can test out new programming ideas would give them more confidence, and we'd probably see more complex drives emerge as a result.