PickNik Robotics and Optimax Methods have launched a ROS 2 driver for ABB manipulators. The package deal has been examined with an ABB IRB 1200-5/0.9 manipulator. The builders mentioned “porting new robotic fashions ought to be an easy course of, and we welcome pull requests.”
The brand new ABB package deal permits two modes of simulation. Within the first mode, it may possibly spoof ros2_control drivers for simulation in ROS. Alternatively, the driving force can talk with ABB’s proprietary RobotStudio software program, a simulation atmosphere that permits a variety of ABB-specific add-ons.
In comparison with the ROS 1 ABB packages, the PickNik and Optimax mentioned some great benefits of this ROS 2 model embrace:
- Improved safety
- Extra flexibility with respect to middleware configuration
- All mandatory packages and documentation can be found in a single repository
Set up and directions might be discovered right here.
Optimax, a prototype optics producer in the USA, will use the brand new ABB package deal for precision manufacturing.
PickNik’s workforce of 30+ roboticists are leaders within the open-source robotics neighborhood and collectively have greater than 300 years of robotics expertise. That is the second main robotic driver for ROS 2 PickNik has helped launch. In Might 2022, a ROS 2 driver was launched for Common Robots’ collaborative robotic arms.
ABB lately launched a robotic depalletizing resolution designed for dealing with advanced depalletizing duties within the logistics, e-commerce, healthcare, and client packaged items industries. The answer combines an ABB industrial robotic arm with imaginative and prescient steering and a brand new, customized gripper design. The answer is optimized for combined load pallets with a wide range of field sizes and kinds.
ABB expanded its robotics portfolio in 2021 with by buying ASTI Cellular Robotics, a developer of autonomous cell robots (AMRs) for $190 million. The acquisition expanded ABB’s product household into AMRs and past industrial and collaborative robotic arms. On the time of the acquisition, ASTI options have been promoting at a income of $50M per yr with a 30% annual progress fee.
