NASA releases robotics software used to build the Mars rovers to the public!

[notaPINKtruck]

Via Slashdot.org

NASA Frees Their Robotics Software

kremvax writes "It's a field day for robotics hackers everywhere, as NASA releases the first installment of their CLARAty reusable robotic software framework to the public. According to the JPL press release, these modules contain everything from math infrastructure to device drivers for common motors and cameras, and computer vision, image, and 3D processing."

Hmm...I can't wait to start playing around with it

Warning: the tools are UNIX-based...Windows users will have to install Cygwin.

http://claraty.jpl.nasa.gov/man/overview/index.php

[ChrisH]

It should also be noted that Rich Petras and Rob Steele, two long time FIRST mentors, were part of the development team. Everybodys favorite programmer, Kevin Watson, is also listed as a Contributor.

There may be other FIRST mentors involved, especially in the non-JPL contingent, but those were the names I recognized off-hand.

In one sense you don't want to say "thanks" to somebody doing a job they are getting paid for doing, especially when you are the one doing the paying. But knowing these men, the job was done well. I'm going by observation and character here, not being a programmer I would be hard pressed to judge the code itself.

Based on my own experience, I believe this library will be a very useful tool for further robotic development.