Robotics is a very intriguing field of computer science. Many new innovations are underway in robotics that caters to the development of interesting robot-based products. Middleware is the component of a computer system that connects the hardware to the software. It contains many services that allow the execution of multiple processes in multiple machines. It enables the machines to interact with each other and to also enhance maintainability and efficiency. The robotics oriented middleware projects are increasing with the popularity of Artificial intelligence. Here are some famously known middleware projects off in the Artificial Intelligence and robotics domain.
1. Player Project
The player project is fully involved in developing solutions for robotics research and development. Player project-based robotics experiments are regularly being published in the AI journals around the world.
The player project is a package that consists of functionalities of a server as well as a simulator. The best part is it is open source and free to use. With interactive robot simulators, this is certainly one of the best projects available today.
2. Orca
Orca accelerates and simplifies robot integration. By using Orca, the developer improves efficiency and reduces risks and erroneous circumstances that may arise otherwise during the creation of an application. With Orca, the developers can relate several applications as well as configurations for collaboration to reach a common goal. Multi-tier applications can also be deployed on the Orca software.
3. Urbi
Urbi is another open-source cross-platform product that is based on a C++ component architecture called UObject. Urbi supports the integration of multiple robotic element networks with each other. Urbi software is also useful in high-level control using middleware packages. Multiple machines can also be connected with the help of Urbi. UObject components can be plugged into the UrbiScript using a UrbiScript interpreter to use it for the purpose of data exchange.
4. ROS
ROS or Robot Operating System is an easy-to-use collection of software packages that allows the integration of multiple software systems. ROS provides low-level control of a device, high functionality and messaging routine for the management of any robotics application. It can be used for hardware abstraction. ROS is a distributed control system as others on the list. ROS is basically a command-line based interactive prototyping tool.
5. RT Middleware
RT middleware’s technology is based on the distributed approach to develop a robotic system using a set of network-enabled robotic elements. The specifications for the RT middleware was defined by the Object Management Group. Scilab language can be used in RT middleware applications. RT Middleware also provides graphics development tools along with the other coding packages. It does not have a main function. Also, the coding methodology is completely based on Object-Oriented Programming with class implementations.
6. MIRO
MIRO is a highly used middleware product that provides an object-oriented approach for mobile robot control. It was developed by taking its underlying features from COBRA or Common Object Request Architecture technology. MIRO provides real-time network communication in robotics hardware and software components. Many educators, computer scientists as well as students are using MIRO development kit to create ‘brain-based’ robotics projects.
Final Words
The emergence of new technologies in robotics has given rise to many open source frameworks and packages to ease the development complexity. These middleware rely on multiple standards, technologies as well as methodologies of integration. Another important implication of using middleware projects is that it practices the reusability of code to reduce the overall programming effort. Also complex and large applications can be easily handled with the use of these technologies.
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