Science

ROS 2 – software framework for building robot applications

ROS 2 is a software framework for building robot applications, offering libraries, tools, and core infrastructure for everything from research prototypes to production systems.

The ros2/ros2 repository acts as the umbrella entry point for the platform, pulling together a large collection of core ROS 2 repositories and packages used to build the wider ecosystem. It’s designed to provide a standard robotics software platform with support for modern middleware, developer tooling, and multiple release distributions.

This is free and open source software.

Key Features

  • Umbrella repository that tracks the core ROS 2 codebase through the ros2.repos manifest.
  • Provides libraries and tools for building robotic applications, including drivers, algorithms, and developer tooling.
  • Supports multiple platforms including Linux, Windows, and macOS.
  • Uses modern middleware abstractions with support for DDS-based communication and other ROS 2 middleware implementations.
  • Offers multiple release distributions with extensive documentation, tutorials, and API references.
  • Includes interoperability options for working alongside existing ROS 1 systems.

Website: github.com/ros2/ros2
Support:
Developer: Open Robotics and the ROS community
License: Apache License 2.0 and BSD 3-Clause License


Related Software

Robotics Software
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DARTDynamic Animation and Robotics Toolkit
Gazebo SimRobot simulation made easy
AprilTagVisual fiducial system popular for robotics research
WebotsMulti-platform desktop application used to simulate robots
ARGoSPhysics-based simulator designed to simulate robot swarms
OpenRTM-aistComponent-oriented development of robot systems
The Player ProjectCross-platform robot device interface & server
UrbiUniversal Robot Body Interface

Read our verdict in the software roundup.


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