Learning ROS2 with iRobot Create3
Class: ME35 - Robotics
Skills: ROS2, Airtable
​
Project Description:
In this project, we learned how to program an iRobot Create3 robot using ROS2 and Python to navigate an obstacle course while controlling it remotely from another room. To send movement commands, we utilized Airtable as an intermediary platform, allowing a Raspberry Pi connected to the robot to communicate with it wirelessly. For real-time navigation, we mounted a phone on the robot and used a video call to provide a live feed, enabling us to see and adjust its movements as it traversed the course.​
Programming
To control the robot, we opted for a keyboard-based input system for ease of use. This required two Raspberry Pis, one dedicated to receiving keyboard inputs and the other responsible for controlling the robot. To facilitate communication between the two, we used Airtable as a bridge. The first Raspberry Pi, connected to the keyboard, would write movement commands to Airtable, while the second Pi would read these commands and execute the corresponding movements. To ensure proper functionality, we integrated our Airtable token and URL into the Python script to access the correct database.
Video of the Robot in Action!
Here's a video of our iRobot Create3 moving through the obstacle course!
