HumanPT: An Open-source, HumanPT Architecture-based, Robotic Application for Low Cost Robotic Tasks

TL;DR: Small enterprises by means of the proposed architecture and the open source software can be automated at low cost enhancing in this way their production.

Abstract: In this paper, first HumanPT architecture for low cost robotic applications is presented. HumanPT architecture differs than other architectures because it is implemented on existing robotic systems (robot??robotic controller) and exploits the minimum communication facilities for real-time control that these systems provide. It is based on well-known communication methods like serial communication (USB, RS232, IEEE-1394) and windows sockets (server---client model) and permits an important number of different type of components like actuators, sensors and particularly vision systems to be connected in a robotic system. The operating system (OS) used is Microsoft Windows, the most widely spread OS. The proposed architecture exploits features of this OS that is not a real-time one, to ensure --- in case that the robotic system provide such a facility --- control and real time communication with the robotic system controller and to integrate by means of sensors and actuators an important number of robotic tasks and procedures. As implementation of this architecture, HumanPT robotic application and experimental results concerning its performance and its implementation in real tasks are provided. HumanPT robotic application, developed in Visual C++, is an integrated, but simultaneously an open-source software that can be adapted in different types of robotic systems. An important number of robotic tasks or procedures including sensors and particularly vision systems can be generated and executed. Small enterprises by means of the proposed architecture and the open source software can be automated at low cost enhancing in this way their production.