Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA
Open Source in Robotics
Today, open source frameworks, such as ROS (Robot Operating System), offer numerous highly-developed software components which can be also used to improve the flexibility of industrial applications. Particularly in the field of 2D and 3D image-processing and collision-free path-planning, a range of high-quality components is available.
How can companies implement these open-source components while taking non-functional requirements such as safety, reliability and robustness into account? Which components fulfill high quality demands? Which components are best-suited for a specific application? For which components is training and support available?
Services
- Clarification of questions regarding the implementation of open-source software in industrial applications (licensing, liability, support, etc.)
- Advice on the selection of open-source software components and development of software architectures for robot-based applications
- Analysis of potentials to use open-source software for customized applications
- Implementation of customized applications as prototypes using open-source software
- Linking of industrial components to open-source software frameworks
- Maintenance and support for open-source hardware drivers
Advantages
- Use of existing software components and technologies
- Fast entry into the field of robotics
- Cost-effective analyses of potentials and feasibility studies
Sample projects
- Development of certified ROS (Robot Operating System) industrial drives for robots, sensors and peripheral components
- Implementation as prototypes and simulations of robot-based applications based on ROS industrial component