MRC/Tutorials/Simple C++ programs
Overview
So far, we have seen how to create a simple C++ project, run the simulator, visualize data, and manually control the simulated robot using the keyboard. While this is a great starting point, the ultimate goal is to develop an autonomous, real-world robot!
Abstraction Layer
As mentioned in the lecture, we won't expose you to the (sometimes somewhat frustrating) low-level details of connecting software to hardware. Instead, we provide an abstraction layer that allows you to easily access sensor data and send movement commands to the robot. Under the hood this layer communicates using ROS, but unless things go horribly wrong you won't have to worry about that.
Key Topics to Explore
To design efficient robotic software, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the following concepts:
- Loops: Essential for continuous execution and iterative processing.
- Robot Movement: Understanding how to send motion commands programmatically.
- Sensor Inputs: Learning how to interpret data from various sensors.
Examples of these topics can be found in the wiki page related to the EMC environment. Make sure that you complete the tutorial before continuing from this page!
Learning C++
Since your programs will be written in C++, we advise you to familiarize yourself with its syntax and best practices. There are many up-to-date resources available online that can help you get started.
By mastering these topics, you'll be well on your way to developing intelligent, autonomous robotic systems!
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