ROS Educational Robot Kit

Abstract

This document presents the concept and first prototype of an educational robot to allow beginners and intermediate ROS users to learn more and test their work on a cheap and simple platform. In order to achieve that, it has been developed an academic robot, which runs with ROS, to make interested people learn and practice their programming on this platform interactively. The main knowledge fields in this project are: Python programming (Sockets, PyQt5, multiprocessing), Micro-controller programming on Arduino, CAD design with Solid- Works, Electronics, ROS, and business planning. As a result of the project, it has been possible to develop a first prototype of the robot explained above, which can be programmed via ROS, being able to perform SLAM and more. Moreover, you can also interact via a computer application from which the user can create virtual maps and routes that lately can be executed on the robot, besides performing SLAM and connecting the robot to different networks. With the business plan carried out, it has been possible to show that the product could take place within the market, triggering with benefits for the academic entities, interested individuals and finally for the company itself.

Aquest document presenta el concepte i primer prototip d’un robot educatiu per permetre als usuaris principiants i intermitjos de ROS aprendre m´es i testejar el seu treball en una plataforma econ`omica i senzilla. Per aconseguir-ho, s’ha desenvolupat un robot acad`emic que funciona amb ROS, per fer que les persones interessades aprenguin i practiquin la seva programaci´o en aquesta plataforma de manera interactiva. Els principals camps de coneixement d’aquest projecte s´on: Programaci´o Python (Sockets, PyQT5, multiprocessament), Programaci´o de microcontroladors en Arduino, Disseny CAD amb SolidWorks, Electr`onica, ROS i Planificaci´o empresarial. Com a resultat del projecte, s’ha aconseguit desenvolupar un prototip del robot explicat anteriorment, el qual es pot programar mitjan¸cant ROS, sent capa¸c de realitzar SLAM i m´es, amb el qual tamb´e es pot interactuar mitjan¸cant una aplicaci´o inform`atica des de la que l’usuari pot crear mapes i rutes virtuals, que posteriorment poden ser executades pel robot, a m´es de fer SLAM i configurar les xarxes de connexi´o. Amb el pla d’empresa realitzat, s’ha pogut demostrar que el producte podria tenir lloc dins del mercat, desencadenant amb beneficis per a les entitats acad`emiques, persones interessades i finalment per a la pr`opia empresa.