ROS 2 — The Complete Guide: The Open-Source Robot Operating System, Free
ROS (Robot Operating System) is not an operating system in the usual sense, but an open-source software framework for building robots: libraries, tools and conventions that connect sensors, motors and algorithms into one piece of software. ROS 2 is the current version, built for industrial use as well.
ROS (Robot Operating System)
Open Robotics
The standard middleware for building robot software.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- Communication between components — every part of the robot is a “node” that publishes and receives messages.
- Navigation — Nav2: mapping, localisation and path planning for mobile robots.
- Arms — MoveIt: motion planning and collision avoidance.
- Tools — RViz to display sensor data, plus recording and playback of data.
- Drivers — for most common sensors and cameras.
Getting started
ROS 2 runs mainly on Ubuntu Linux; on Windows you can use WSL. Start with the official tutorials in Python and practise in simulation in Gazebo or Webots before moving to a real robot. For small controllers and sensors, use Arduino with micro-ROS.
Gazebo
Open Robotics
3D robotics simulator with physics and simulated sensors, integrated with ROS.
Get it from the vendor
Webots
Cyberbotics
Approachable robot simulator with a library of ready robots and environments, common in teaching.
Get it from the vendor
Arduino IDE
Arduino
The official IDE for Arduino boards — write code, upload it to the board and watch sensors on the serial monitor.
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Python
Python Software Foundation
The language behind most modern engineering computation, and its full ecosystem.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
The ROS 2 learning curve is steep, but it is the foundation of most research and industrial robotics today. All the tools are completely free, including for commercial use.