Understand ROS < 20 min
Learn the fundamentals of the Robot Operating System (ROS) in less than 20 minutes by watching our free webinar on the topic. Alternatively, download our eBook covering the topic below.
No time to watch? Download our eBook
Ainstein supports ROS for all our sensors and has a history of providing ODM service using ROS.
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A brief history
Believe it or not, ROS has been around since 2006 after it was created by the Willow Garage. This group was loosely tied to early Stanford attempts at standardizing robotics and matured through participation in the Grand Challenge (a self driving competition).
Willow Garage is famously known for their development of the PR2 robot, which has become a standard for robotics research. The PR2 is the flagship robot used for ROS. For example, 11 universities have this very robot in order to aid in learning and develop hardware standardization. Willow Garage also maintains the Point Cloud Library (PCL) and OpenCV which has is critical for 2D and 3D perception.
Willow Garaged eventually evolved into the Open Source Robotics Foundation (2014 – present). They maintain and release ROS and the Gazebo Simulator which is used by companies and research labs across the globe as a simulator for Robotics.
How does ROS Work?
ROS is a peer-to-peer network using a master node called roscore to provide a name service to directly connect nodes. When a new node is run, it informs the master (i.e. roscore) about the topics it publishes and/or subscribes to. For example, a topic could be a sensor driver for a radar that’s getting data over ethernet and publishing it over ROS for other ROS nodes to consume.
TL;DR Why ROS?
- Fast prototyping
- No need to worry about time synchronization, data recording/playback, logging, etc. It’s all under the hood.
- Easily define complex coordinate frame structures, automatic frame conversions with tf package.
- Extensible debugging tools:
- RViz for 3D visualization
- RQt for error monitoring, logging, plotting
- Dynamic parameter server for “live” tuning
- Native support for conversion to OpenCV, PCL, etc full 2D and 3D sensor processing stacks.
ROS Compatible
Ainstein is proud to offer ROS support for its smart radar systems products.
ROS, or Robot Operating System, is a powerful and flexible open source framework that enables software development for robotic systems.
Ainstein’s ROS-compatible smart radar systems allow you to take control for streamlining integration of our radar sensors into your own custom applications. You can learn more about Ainstein’s ROS integration on the official ROS Wiki, here.
Ainstein’s expert engineering team provides custom solutions for applications ranging from ROS integration to full-stack autonomy. Contact us today to discuss your own custom ROS integration.
Looking for codebase? Check out Ainstein’s GitHub by clicking here.
Contact the Ainstein team today to discuss your own custom ROS integration.
ROS Use Case Example: Vehicle Imaging Radar
Interested in connecting about ROS?
Ainstein partners with industry leaders in various vertical markets, combining real-life application knowledge and advanced radar systems technology to offer the sensing solution that works for your unique needs!
Supported ROS Products
O-79
Vehicle Imaging Radar
Pinpoints the location of detected objects with range, azimuth & elevation, and velocity data, and generates a 4D point cloud mapping of the surroundings.
K-77
Combines a wide field of view at midrange with long-range coverage to provide two measurement modes within a single package.
T-79
Short range, wideband, high resolution automotive radar sensor built with Ainstein’s cutting edge radar technologies.
ROS & IOT?
People Counting
Ideal for offices, gyms, cafes, conference centers/convention centers, police departments, entertainment arenas and more.
Urban Traffic Management
Space Utilization
Occupancy Detection
EXPRESSWAY MANAGEMENT
Smart Tracking & Industry
Not only get notified when there’s an emergency, but also keep an accurate count of what’s happening during peak hours.