This software package provides a C++ interface to communicate with the mobile platforms from Weston Robot and AgileX Robotics, for sending commands to the robot and receiving the latest robot state. The repository is a joint effort by the development teams at Weston Robot (Singapore) and AgileX Robotics (China).

Please create an issue on Github at https://github.com/westonrobot/ugv_sdk/issues if you encounter any problems in using the packages.

Important Note: Currently we're transitioning the communication protocol from version 1 to version 2. Please check with Weston Robot or AgileX Robotics to confirm which version your robot is using.

V1 Protocol: master branch of scout_ros and ugv_sdk
V2 Protocol: v2.x branch of scout_ros and ugv_sdk

Supported robot platforms

Scout: skid-steer mobile base
Scout-Mini: skid-steer mobile base
Hunter: ackermann mobile base
Tracer: differential-drive mobile base
Bunker: tracked mobile base

Supported environments

Architecture: x86_64/arm64
OS: Ubuntu 16.04/18.04/20.04
ROS: Kinetic/Melodic/Noetic

It should also work in other similar Linux environments but only the above listed environments are regularly tested.

Generally, you only need to instantiate an object of the robot base class (such as ScoutBase), then use the object to programmatically control the robot. Internally, the base class manages two background threads, one to process CAN/UART messages of the robot state and accordingly update state variables in the robot state data structure, and the other to maintain a 50Hz loop and send the latest command to the robot base. User can iteratively perform tasks in the main thread and check the robot state or set control commands. Advanced users may also use this setup as a reference and maintain the control and monitoring loops in a different way.

Build SDK

Install dependent libraries

$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install build-essential git cmake

I. Use the package with ROS

$ cd <your-catkin-ws>/src
$ git clone --recursive https://github.com/westonrobot/ugv_sdk.git
$ cd ..
$ catkin_make

II. Use the package without ROS

If you want to build the TUI monitor tool, additionally install libncurses

$ sudo apt install libncurses5-dev

Configure and build

$ git clone --recursive https://github.com/westonrobot/ugv_sdk.git
$ cd ugv_sdk 
$ mkdir build
$ cd build
$ cmake ..
$ make

Update repository

If you have already cloned the repository, use the following commands to get latest updates

$ cd ugv_sdk
$ git pull origin master
$ git submodule update --init --recursive

Hardware Interface

Setup CAN-To-USB adapter

Enable gs_usb kernel module
```
$ sudo modprobe gs_usb
```

Bringup can device

$ sudo ip link set can0 up type can bitrate 500000

If no error occured during the previous steps, you should be able to see the can device now by using command
```
$ ifconfig -a
```
Install and use can-utils to test the hardware
```
$ sudo apt install can-utils
```

Testing command

# receiving data from can0
$ candump can0
# send data to can0
$ cansend can0 001#1122334455667788

Two scripts inside the "./scripts" folder are provided for easy setup. You can run "./setup_can2usb.bash" for the first-time setup and run "./bringup_can2usb.bash" to bring up the device each time you unplug and re-plug the adapter.

Setup UART

Generally your UART2USB cable should be automatically recognized as "/dev/ttyUSB0" or something similar and ready for use. If you get the error "... permission denied ..." when trying to open the port, you need to grant access of the port to your user accout:

$ sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER

You need to re-login to get the change to take effect.

Run Demo Apps

The demo code expects one parameter for the CAN bus mode.

$ ./app_scout_demo can0

Both the port name and baud rate need to be provided when using the RS232 interface.

$./app_scout_demo /dev/ttyUSB0 115200

If you've installed "libncurses5-dev" and built "app_scout_monitor", you can run it in a similar way:

$ ./app_scout_monitor can0

$./app_scout_monitor /dev/ttyUSB0 115200

Note: the monitor app is not built by default if you use this SDK with ROS.

Reference

CAN command reference in Linux