Clearpath and Open Robotics Unveil TurtleBot 4, a Next-Generation Mobile Robotics Platform
Clearpath Robotics, a maker of mobile robotic platforms for research and development, and Open Robotics, the leading maintainers of the Robot Operating System (ROS) and the Gazebo simulator, have announced TurtleBot 4. It is the next generation of robots from the world's most popular open-source robotics platform.
At its core, TurtleBot is an inexpensive personal robot kit with open-source software. TurtleBot was created at Willow Garage, a research lab, by Melonee Wise and Tully Foote in November 2010. With this platform, you can build a robot that can drive around your home, see in 3D, and have enough power to create exciting applications.
History of TurtleBot:
- TurtleBot 1 consists of an iRobot Create base, a 3000 mAh battery, a TurtleBot power board with a gyroscope, a Kinect sensor, an Asus 1215N laptop with a dual-core processor, and a mounting kit that connects everything together and adds room for future sensors.
- TurtleBot 2 consists of a Yujin Kobuki base, a 2200 mAh battery, a Kinect sensor, an Asus 1215N laptop with a dual-core processor, a fast charger, a charging dock, and a mounting kit that connects everything together and adds room for future sensors. TurtleBot 2 was released in October 2012.
- TurtleBot 3 consists of modular plates whose shape users can customize. It is available in three types. The platform consists of a base, two Dynamixel motors, a 1800 mAh battery, a 360-degree LIDAR, a camera (RealSense camera for the Waffle kit, Raspberry Pi camera for the Waffle Pi kit), SBCs (single-board computers: Raspberry Pi 3 and Intel Joule 570x), and a mounting kit that connects everything together and adds room for future sensors. TurtleBot 3 was released in May 2017.
TurtleBot 4 aims to build on the success of previous versions by providing an inexpensive, fully extensible ROS-based reference platform for researchers, developers and robotics educators.
“It has been ten years since we began working with the Open Robotics founding team on TurtleBot 2. We are delighted to continue supporting the open-source software developer community by providing the latest and best technologies for robotics research, development and education. TurtleBot 4 offers greater computing power, improved sensors and world-class usability at an affordable price.”
The TurtleBot 4 mobile base is built on the iRobot Create 3 educational robot, which features an IMU, an optical floor-tracking sensor and wheel encoders for precise positioning and localization. It also includes a set of sensors, including an infrared sensor, cliff, bump and slip detection, plus a 26 Wh lithium-ion battery to power additional sensors and accessories.
In addition, all data from the built-in sensors is available in ROS through the networked ROS 2 API. Finally, the mobile base supports a payload of 9 kg and can move continuously at speeds up to 0.306 m/s with the safety system enabled, and up to 0.46 m/s in lockout mode.
The mobile base is fully integrated with a Raspberry Pi 4 computer running Ubuntu 20.04, ROS 2 and built-in sensor drivers, a front stereo camera and a 2D LiDAR. Additional sensors and accessories can be easily integrated into the system using an available powered USB hub and a top mounting plate. A programmable LCD screen lets users display information from ROS. The platform's IP address is also displayed, allowing users to connect to the robot quickly.
“We are pleased to work with Clearpath Robotics on creating the first TurtleBot designed from scratch with ROS 2 to take advantage of its new capabilities. Clearpath has a reputation for providing high-quality robots with exceptional performance, documentation and support. I can't wait to see what the ROS community will do with TurtleBot 4”
TurtleBot 4 will ship fully assembled with ROS 2 preinstalled and configured, along with detailed user documentation, an Ignition Gazebo simulation model, demo code and a set of tutorials, allowing users to start right away with AI-based testing and SLAM. TurtleBot 4 will be available in spring 2022.
Clearpath Robotics is a global leader in robotics for unmanned vehicles for research and development, providing hardware, software and services for developing, deploying and operating unmanned vehicles. Clearpath works with more than 500 of the most innovative brands in over 40 countries, serving markets that include industrial material handling, mining, defense, agriculture, aerospace and academia.
Clearpath is an award-winning company that recently made the Robotics Business Review list of the top 50 companies, received the Edison Award for innovation, and was named one of Canada's top 100 employers.
Open Robotics is a global hub for two of the largest and most mature open-source robotics and simulation projects: the Robot Operating System (ROS) and Ignition Gazebo. The company works with industry, academia and government to create and maintain open-source software and hardware for use in robotic systems worldwide. Open Robotics is available for contract R&D (research and development), consulting and custom application development for the global robotics community.
