Can I switch (easily, 1:1) from dedicated programming language to ROS?

asked 2016-10-21 08:25:37 -0600

KamilROS gravatar image

Hello!

I am taking part in the project, in which we are using Adept LynX robot ( http://www.adept.com/products/mobile-... ) in industry application. Its job is to transport material around the factory.

Management's wants us to use ROS. LynX is using its dedicated programming language. After initial development and writing code, they want us to switch from this language to ROS (reasons? They want to make universal code and switch from LynX to something else in the future, such us Fetch Freight or Pioneer LX). How (and if) easy it is to switch from this language to ROS? Is it possible to create table with "translation" from one function to its equivalent in ROS? They want to create UNIVERSAL code, regardless to the future platform, and I think it is impossible or pointless.

I am not professional coder, but from what I know, to make such as translation and any switch would require separate code development. I'm an Intern.

I gently as for help and you opinion. What is your opinion?

Thank you,

Kamil

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Comments

Without knowing anything about the LynX or the programming language it uses, I'm going to say no, unless you write some kind of interpreter which maps the semantics of the LynX programming language to functionality provided by ROS. ROS != a programming language.

gvdhoorn gravatar image gvdhoorn  ( 2016-10-24 03:08:46 -0600 )edit

Thank you for comment.

Writing 1:1 translation (semantics) is the goal and I think it is very hard and not convenient. LynX language is base on text instructions, like goTo(point) or move(x), which are sent to the robot (by PLC and via VB Interface).

Is it possible to make UNIVERSAL translation?

KamilROS gravatar image KamilROS  ( 2016-10-24 05:28:24 -0600 )edit

Hi Kamil, please feel free to contact me at reed.hedges@adept.com to discuss this. Are you definitely going to be using the PLC or are some of the other communications interfaces to the Lynx also possible for you? Are you in contact with anyone else at Adept about this?

ReedHedges gravatar image ReedHedges  ( 2016-10-25 11:25:54 -0600 )edit