Conda is an open source cross-platform package and environment manager from Anaconda. Package manager If you're familiar with MacOSX then you've probably already used package managers like Homebrew or MacPorts that allow you to either download binaries or build code from source to easily install software. Conda is similar in that it also allows you…Read more Getting started with Conda
Getting started with ROS nodelets
ROS nodes communicate using TCP/IP protocol which might be too slow for applications that require sending large amounts of data (like 3D point clouds or video streams). For processes running on the same computer, a pointer to the data can be sent rather than sending the data itself over TCP/IO. The Intel RealSense Robotics Development…Read more Getting started with ROS nodelets
Contributing to Open Source Projects
Open Source projects are a fun way for people, with a common goal, to collaborate on a project from anywhere in the world. It's amazing what you can learn from being part of a global community. This guide provides a really nice overview of how you can begin to contribute to Open Source projects. This…Read more Contributing to Open Source Projects
Getting started with Gazebo
I don't actually own a robot (and they don't come cheap) so the next best thing is a simulator. Gazebo is open source robot simulation software that interfaces nicely with ROS and supports a library of robot models and environments. Gazebo supports Collada (.dae), 3D Systems (.stl), Wavefront (.obj), and W3C SVG (.svg) file formats…Read more Getting started with Gazebo
Understanding ROS and Gazebo error messages: a beginner’s guide
ROS error messages Sometimes ROS can give you really detailed error messages that you struggle to fix as a beginner. The first thing to try is roswtf. This command will run checks on your system to try find any problems (warnings and errors). Here is a non-exhaustive list of how to decipher some typical ROS…Read more Understanding ROS and Gazebo error messages: a beginner’s guide
Learning ROS – Part II
The Robot Operating System (ROS) is awesome because it allows robotics developers to share their code in a standardised fashion. Here's what I've learnt from the introductory ROS tutorials. What is ROS (in a nutshell)? ROS is a robotics framework that allows you to run software, on a robot, in a modular fashion. A typical…Read more Learning ROS – Part II
Learning ROS – Part I
Now that I have an Intel RealSense robotics development kit, which interfaces to ROS, it makes sense to actually learn it. What is ROS? ROS stands for Robot Operating System, and is a framework for developing robot software (think middleware). This series of blog posts documents my journey getting experienced with ROS. Useful resources for…Read more Learning ROS – Part I
Useful tools and hacks
A collection of useful tools and hacks I've come across recently (list updated): Resetting an administrative password in Ubuntu It is possible to reset an administrative password you forgot, provided you have access to the physical machine (this is obviously a security measure). To reset simply restart the machine and on the GNU GRUB screen…Read more Useful tools and hacks
Running Intel RealSense R200 ROS nodelet and RViz
It's finally time to connect the camera now that the UP board is set up. To connect the camera just use the cable provided in the box with the USB3 adapter already connected to the UP board. The size of the camera is impressive! It's very slim and can be attached to a surface using…Read more Running Intel RealSense R200 ROS nodelet and RViz
Getting started with the Intel RealSense Robotics Development Kit (RDK)
I’m the proud owner of an Intel Robotics Development Kit! The kit comes with a RealSense R200 3D camera, a UP board with 32GB eMMC, a USB 3 adapter, a 5V 4A power supply, USB3 and connectors. The RealSense consists of an infrared laser projection system, two infrared cameras and a full HD colour camera.…Read more Getting started with the Intel RealSense Robotics Development Kit (RDK)
Robotics. And other stuff too. 