Karto Software Development Kit (SDK)

The Karto SDK is a comprehensive software solution for robotic navigation and mapping. The SDK libraries incorporate some of the most advanced and robust algorithms for high accuracy mapping and autonomous navigation and exploration. Combining the libraries with a well-defined, easy-to-use application programming interface creates a solution that enables robot developers to integrate state-of-the-art capabilities into their products.

Visual Odometer

The visual odometer enables a robot to use only a single stereo camera as input to maintain its relative position. This module does not require any information about the environment, nor does it require any input other than the stereo camera. The localization is a full 3D localization (X,Y,Z and the three rotation angles). This module works best outdoor.

Localization

Localization enables a robot to determine its position within its environment using sensor information and any known reference information (e.g., a previously constructed map or known landmarks). It provides a consistent coordinate system for the robot to reference as it moves within its environment. This module can be conceptualized as an indoor GPS.

Mapping

Mapping enables a robot to use sensor input to create a virtual model of its environment. Karto Robotics' mapping technology is able to create precise maps despite the inherently noisy nature of sensor data and is able to do so in real-time as the robot maneuvers in an unknown environment.

Exploration

Exploration enables a robot to determine the sequence of moves it will make in order to completely cover an area so that all reachable locations have been traversed. Exploration can either be done in a known environment or an unknown environment (in which case, the robot must simultaneously map and explore).

Path Planning w/ Obstacle Avoidance

Path planning enables a robot to compute the optimal path to take from its current position to a specified target position. Karto Robotics' path planning technology is proven to be optimal and can find a path extremely quickly so that path decisions can be made in real-time.

Network

Our network module provides basic remote data transmission to our mapping module. It allows a robot to send its odometry data and laser readings over the network to be processed by a SLAM server. The main application is to have a very simple robot that does not have sufficient computation power to offload the mapping computation. This module contains both the API for the server and client sides.