Development resources - Knowledge Base

Where can I get development tools?

Want to develop apps for robots but don’t know how to do that, or where to start? RobotAppStore.com is here to help you!

Most of the robots' manufacturers have put in place development kits for their robots. The names might be different, but the functionality is the same across the board. Meaning developers like you, can write apps and new behaviors for their robots. Some of the manufacturers offer API only. Some of them offer complete SDK, and some created a graphical development environment which helps less-experienced developers to create their own apps and behaviors.

Please note: some robots can run more than one OS (Operating System), so make sure you are aware which platform or OS you use to develop your apps.

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Development Resources

	Manufacturer: iRobot iRobot Created the popular Roomba series. It is a vacuum cleaning robot that can be programmed using Roomba SCI (Serial Command Interface). iRobot Create is explicitly designed for robotics development, rather than hacking the Roomba. Learn how to program Roomba: Introduction to Roomba Programming How to Use a RealTerm Terminal Serial Port Baud Rate Configuration How to Send Commands to Roomba What Are Roomba Modes? How to Program Roomba to Drive How to Program Roomba to Sing How to program Roomba for C# .NET developers Get the SDK and manuals here.
	Manufacturer: LEGO Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 is the newest set from LEGO's Lego Mindstorms series, launched on August 5, 2009. The set contains 619 pieces. Learn how to program LEGO NXT Mindstorms How to Control Lego NXT Motors How to make LEGO NXT drive How to Make Lego NXT to Play a Sound How to send commands to Lego NXT Introduction to NXT programming over Bluetooth NXT File Handling- Delete Files NXT File Handling over Bluetooth- Create Files NXT File Handling over Bluetooth- Introduction NXT File Handling- Read Files NXT File Handling- Save and Close NXT File Handling- Search Files NXT File Handling- Write To Files NXT Pre- Defined Text to Speech What Is a NXT Bluetooth Telegram Get LEGO SDK and manuals here. Or get the ROS code here. Or get the Mindstorms NXT 2.0 iso here.
	Manufacturer: Parrot The Parrot AR.Drone is a RC Quadrotor with cameras attached to it. Learn how to program AR.Drone: How to Program AR.Drone Remotely Over WIFI How to Make AR.Drone Take-Off or Land How to Horizontally Calibrate AR.Drone How to Control AR.Drone Movements During Flight How to Control AR.Drone LEDs Get AR.Drone SDK and manuals here.
	Manufacturer: Innvo Labs The robot is software-upgradeable via SD card or USB interfaces. Manufacturer encourage user modifications of the robot's firmware, provided links to 3rd party developed tools such as a graphical interface for home users called MySkit, and an API for programmers called a "PDK" (Pleo Developers Kit). Get the PDK and manuals here.
	Manufacturer: Sony Sony released a programmer's kit that has now been expanded into three distinct tools: R-CODE, AIBO Remote Framework, and the OPEN-R SDK. These three tools are combined under the name AIBO Software Development Environment. All of these tools are free to download and can be used for commercial or non-commercial use (Except for the OPEN-R SDK, which is specifically for non-commercial use). Get the kit and manuals here.
	Manufacturer: Aldebaran Robotics Nao is an autonomous, programmable, humanoid robot. It comes with software package which includes a dedicated programming software called Choregraphe, an API and SDK for C/C++ and Python. Nao is also compatible with Microsoft Robotics Studio, Cyberbotics Webots, and Gostai Urbi Studio. Get the software package and tutorials here.
	Manufacturer: Willow Garage, iRobot TurtleBot comes with an open-source SDK based on ROS to help you develop applications right out of the box. The TurtleBot SDK integrates all the software you need to get TurtleBot running and comes with advanced capabilities like mapping and navigation. Get ROS for Turtlebot here.
	Manufacturer: Robotis The BIOLOID is a hobbyist and educational robot kit. The robot is programmed with RoboPlus - C language based software solution. Get the SDK and code examples here.
	Manufacturer: Aldebaran Robotis Karotz is the third generation Nabaztag. The embedded software handles the TCP/IP, RFID and WiFi. It also implements a virtual machine which is able to execute up to 64kb of code. A dedicated assembly language exists to program the different features of the device. Get the SDK and app examples here.
	Manufacturer: Robotis, Virginia Tech DARwIn-OP is an open platform where users are encouraged to modify it in both hardware and software, and various software implementations are possible (C++, Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, etc.) Get the SDK and sources here.
	Manufacturer: CoroWare CoroBot is a four-wheeled development platform released in March 2007. It is a four-wheeled robot that has an on board mini-ITX computer and an optional 4 DOF arm. As a robotic platform, developers can write robot apps using ROS, MSRDS, C / C++ and more. Get Code examples and API referece here.
	Manufacturer: EZ-Robot EZ-Robot provides a complete hardware and software solution for beginner and advanced personal robotics. Using our graphical interface, add voice recognition, vision tracking, Wii remote control, and more to your robot. Also supports AR Drone, Brookstone Rover and more! Get EZ-Builder and SDK here.

Platforms / OS

	Provider: Willow Garage ROS (Robot Operating System) provides libraries and tools to help software developers create robot applications. It provides hardware abstraction, device drivers, libraries, visualizers, message-passing, package management, and more. ROS is licensed under an open source, BSD license. ROS Installation for Windows Users ROS explained for .NET Fans- Hight Level Architecture and Terminology Overview How to create ROS MSG and ROS SRV and how to use them Get the OS and manuals here.
	Provider: Gostai Urbi allows to create components and drivers, called UObjects, which can run on top of Gostai Runtime. A UObject can be a remote object, a simple autonomous executable in Windows, Linux or Mac OSX. You don't have to change a single line of code to switch from embedded "linked" mode to remote mode. Get the platform and tutorials here.
	Provider: RoboRealm RoboRealm® is an application for use in computer vision, image analysis, and robotic vision systems. Using an easy point and click interface RoboRealm simplifies vision programming! Using an inexpensive USB webcam and the PC you already have you can now add machine vision to your robotic projects! Get the platform here.
	Provider: Microsoft Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio enables academic, hobbyist and commercial developers to easily create robotics applications across a wide variety of hardware. Get the development studio here.