ROS (Robot Operating System) is an open-source software framework for robotics that provides libraries, tools, and algorithms for building complex robot applications. It is designed to simplify the development of robotic systems, allowing developers to focus on their applications and not on the underlying hardware. ROS features include:
• A powerful and flexible robot middleware that enables communication between different components and hardware.
• A large collection of tools and packages for robot development, including libraries, algorithms, visualization tools, and more.
• Support for a wide range of hardware platforms, including Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and more.
• Easy integration with other software frameworks, such as Gazebo and MoveIt.
• Support for multiple programming languages, including C++, Python, and Java.
Example:
ROS can be used to create a robotic system that can autonomously navigate a room. The robot would use the ROS navigation stack to create a map of the room and use it to plan a path to its destination. The robot would then use the ROS motion planning libraries to generate a trajectory for the robot to follow. Finally, the robot would use the ROS hardware drivers to control its motors and actuators to move along the trajectory.