Ubiquity Robotics Launches Beefy ROS Development Platform
With a payload of 100 kilograms, Magni aims to make it easy to prototype a useful mobile robot
There are any number of robotics development platforms out there, and we’ve written about most of them—TurtleBots, iRobot Creates, and more recently robots like Misty. Generally, these platforms are intended to be used for experimenting with sensors and software, or for more socially-oriented applications that don’t involve much in the way of lifting or moving stuff.
A Silicon Valley startup called Ubiquity Robotics believes that there’s an opportunity here, and they’re crowdfunding a robot called Magni that’s specifically designed to handle large payloads for long durations. It comes with sensing and computing out of the box, and Ubiquity hopes it’ll enable hobbyists to create a new generation of practical robotic solutions.
Here’s what you get with Magni:
- Payload: 100 kg
- Drive System: 2 x 200 W hub motors, 2 m/s top speed
- Power: 7 A+ 5 V and 7 A+ 12 V DC power
- Computer: Quad-core ARM A9 – Raspberry Pi3
- Software: Ubuntu 16.04, ROS Kinetic
- Camera: Single upward facing
- Navigation: Ceiling fiducial based navigation
- Battery life: With 10 Ah batteries, 8 hours of normal operation. Up to 32 Ah lead acid batteries can be installed, which will provide 24 hours+ of normal operation
- 3D sensor (optional): 2x time of flight cameras, 120 degree field of view
In addition, Ubiquity is offering Loki, a small and more or less affordable learning platform that you can use to develop applications for Magni.
It’s important to note that Magni (and Loki) are not for novice programmers, and they’re probably not for people who are interested in learning about robotics and ROS. [READ MORE]
