Software development environment for collaborative research workflow in robotic system integration. (3rd June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El Hafi, Lotfi; Garcia Ricardez, Gustavo Alfonso; von Drigalski, Felix; Inoue, Yuki; Yamamoto, Masaki; Yamamoto, Takashi
• Is Part Of: Advanced robotics. Volume 36:Number 11(2022)
• Page Start: 533
• Page End: 547
• Publication Date: 2022-06-03
• Subjects: Development environment -- system containerization -- continuous integration -- unattended simulation -- open-source software; Robotics -- Periodicals; Robotics -- Japan -- Periodicals; Robotics; Japan; Periodicals; 629.89205
• DOI: 10.1080/01691864.2022.2068353
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-1864

Abstract

Abstract : Today's robotics involves a large range of knowledge and skills across many disciplines. This issue has recently come to light as robotics competitions attract more talented teams to tackle unsolved problems. Although the tasks are challenging, the preparation cycles are usually short. The teams involved, ranging from academic institutions to small startups and large companies, need to develop and deploy their solutions with agility. Therefore, this paper introduces a containerized Software Development Environment (SDE) based on a collaborative workflow relying on open-source technologies for robotic system integration and deployment. The proposed SDE enables the collaborators to focus on their individual expertize and rely on automated tests and unattended simulations. The analysis of the adoption of the proposed SDE shows that several research institutions successfully deployed it in multiple international competitions with various robotic platforms. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: UF0001