Most Advanced Robotics Simulation Software Overview

Creating a complete virtual model by simulating components and control programs can lead to simplifying the construction process of a robot and can reduce costs of a project. The good part is that most applications used in simulation can be transferred to physical robots without requiring changes, or at least major changes. In a virtual environment interactions and behavior of a robot or system can be simulated with high accuracy compared to the actual real life model. For example a mobile robot can be simulated as it moves around in an environment with lots of obstacles and rough terrain, in order to analyse the response from its sensors and the efficiency of its algorithms.

Benefits of simulation

• reduce costs involved in robot production;
• can make a diagnosis of source code that controls a particular resource or a mix of resources;
• possibility to simulate various alternatives without involving physical costs;
• the robot or components can be tested;
• simulation can be done in stages, if the project is complex and requires it;
• can make a demonstration of system to determine if is viable or not;
• compatibility with a wide range of programming languages;
• shorter delivery times.

Disadvantages of simulation

• the program can simulate just what it is programmed to simulate;
• the robot can meet many more scenarios in the real world than can be simulated.

New versions of simulation platforms offer increasingly more features that make simulation easier and also very close to reality. A significant contribution comes from 3D simulation which can be used to build the robot and the environment in detail. Most tools are compatible with programming languages like: C, C++, Perl, Python, Java, URBI, or MATLAB. Below you can find a list of simulation tools.

01. Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio

Microsoft offers robot developers a complete tool that can be used to program and create 3D simulations of your robot and environment. It supports major robotic platforms like the Mindstorms NXT from Lego. The software offers various methods and technologies for rapid prototyping and includes a great amount of functional libraries.

Read our article about setting Up MRDS 4 to program your Lego Mindstorms NXT robot

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