Background

As robotics rapidly advances, developing robot applications remains challenging due to the high costs and complexities associated with hardware. Traditionally, testing requires physical robots, making the process expensive and time-consuming. This has led to the development of Virtual Robot Controllers (VRCs), which leverage container-based virtualization to provide a flexible and efficient environment for developing and testing robot applications, offering a cost-effective alternative to physical hardware.

What is the

Virtual Robot Controller?

A Virtual Robot Controller (VRC) is a software-based system designed to emulate the control system functions of a real robot within a virtual environment. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on physical hardware for development and testing, VRCs enable developers to fully simulate and manage a robot's behavior in a software-defined space. The primary uses of a virtual controller include.

Development and Testing

VRCs offer a safe, controlled environment for developing and testing robotic applications. Developers can simulate a robot's behavior across various scenarios to refine algorithms, optimize performance, and debug issues without risking damage to actual hardware.

Education and Training

VRCs are widely used in educational settings to train students and professionals in robotics. The virtual environment provides hands-on experience in robot control and programming, eliminating the need for costly physical robots.

Why do we need

Virtual Robot Controller?

Virtual Robot Controllers (VRCs) are essential because they offer a cost-effective, scalable, and safe alternative to physical robots. VRCs allow developers to simulate and test robotic applications in a virtual environment, reducing the need for expensive hardware and minimizing risks. They also accelerate development by enabling rapid iteration, leading to faster innovation and deployment of new robotic solutions. Additionally, VRCs offer enhanced scalability through cloud integration, enabling the management of large-scale robotic operations without the limitations of physical hardware.

Virtual Robot Controller

Traditional Physical Robots

Cost

Lower,
as no physical hardware

High due to hardware
and maintenance expenses

Scalability

Virtually unlimited scalability
in simulations

Limited by physical constraints
and available resources

Risk

No risk to physical
equipment

High risk of damaging
hardware during testing

Development Speed

Faster, with rapid iterations
in a virtual setup

Slower, with longer cycles
due to physical limitations

Features

Structure of VRC

The Virtual Robot Controller (VRC) provides a scalable and flexible environment for developing and managing robot applications through container-based virtualization. It operates within a cloud infrastructure, using orchestration platforms like Kubernetes to deliver its functions as a SaaS (Software as a Service) model. The key structural components of VRC are as follows.

Interface Layer

Frontend Server Machine

This server provides a web-based graphical user interface (GUI) that allows users to manage and control virtual robot controllers easily. The GUI simplifies interaction with the VRC, ensuring seamless operation and configuration.

Core Layer
Main Server Machine

Control Server

Manages core operations of the VRC, coordinating the deployment and execution of virtualized controllers within the cloud environment.

Management Functions

Responsible for system management, including monitoring, resource allocation, and task scheduling.

Image Store

Stores pre-configured virtual robot controller images, such as TERMINAL and Karajan, for user deployment and management.

Orchestration Platform

Kubernetes Integration

Manages the deployment, scaling, and operation of VRC across multiple worker machines, ensuring the system can handle large-scale operations and multiple controllers simultaneously.

Worker Machines

Dedicated User Spaces

Each worker machine hosts dedicated user spaces where virtualized controllers operate. These isolated environments allow users to run multiple virtual robot controllers efficiently without interference.

Network Connectivity

Worker machines are networked with the main server and each other, enabling real-time communication and synchronization. Additionally, they execute simulated robots, providing real-time feedback and interaction over the network.

Robots in Simulators

Execution via Worker Machines

Simulated robots operate within dedicated user spaces on worker machines. These simulations occur over the network, allowing for accurate testing and development of robot applications in a controlled virtual environment.

Workflow of VRC

The operational workflow of VRC outlines the steps users take to configure, deploy, and manage virtual robot controllers within the system. This workflow is designed to be intuitive, ensuring users can optimize their robotic operations seamlessly.

Server Connection

Connect to the Server

Users connect to the VRC system through the internet, accessing its cloud-based infrastructure.

User Authentication

Users log in using their credentials, ensuring secure access and providing the necessary permissions to manage virtual robot controllers.

VRC Management

Create/Destroy/Run/Pause VRC

Users can create, destroy, run, or pause virtual robot controllers as needed. The VRC system offers a simple interface for managing these operations, allowing for flexible and efficient control of robot applications.

Application Development

Make Robot Applications

Once configured, users can develop robot applications using the provided environment. Simulated robots, executed via worker machines, allow for comprehensive testing and refinement of robot behaviors and control algorithms in a risk-free, virtual setting.

Benefits of VRC

Mintrobot's Virtual Robot Controller (VRC) offers substantial advantages that transform how robotic applications are developed, tested, and managed. By leveraging advanced virtualization and cloud-based technologies, VRC provides users with a scalable, efficient, and cost-effective solution.

Cost Efficiency and Scalability

Reduced Hardware Costs

VRC eliminates the need for expensive physical robots during development, significantly cutting costs.

Massive Scalability

Container-based virtualization and cloud integration allow VRC to scale from a few robots to thousands, within a distributed processing environment.

Accelerated Development and Safe Testing

Rapid Prototyping

VRC enables quick development and testing cycles in a virtual environment, speeding up time-to-market for new applications.

Safe Testing Environment

VRC allows users to test new algorithms and robot behaviors without risking damage to physical hardware, making it ideal for high-risk scenarios.

Cloud-Based Flexibility and Collaboration

Cloud Integration

VRC’s cloud infrastructure supports seamless remote access, enabling collaborative development across locations. This flexibility allows users to deploy and manage virtual controllers on demand.

Centralized Control

VRC enables efficient management of complex robot systems, including swarms, through centralized, brainless control without needing embedded controllers in each robot.

Accurate Simulation and Customization

Realistic Simulations

Advanced simulation engines provide highly accurate environments to validate robot applications before real-world deployment.

Customizable and User-Friendly

The platform's web-based GUI is intuitive, making it accessible to all users while offering the ability to create and manage custom simulation environments tailored to specific needs.

Comparison

1^st Generation vs
2^nd Generation vs
3^rd Generation

Virtual Robot Controllers (VRCs) have seen significant advancements over three generations. The first generation offered basic functionality with no direct connection to actual robots. The second generation improved by emulating real controllers but faced scalability issues. The third generation introduces container-based virtualization, enabling multiple controllers on a single PC and seamless cloud integration. The table below outlines these key differences.

3^rd Generation

2^nd Generation

1^st Generation

Controller

Container-based virtualized
controller using Docker or Podman

Can emulate the actual
controller and manage multiple controllers on a single PC

Cloud integration enables
large-scale operations

Host-based virtualized
controller using VMWare or
VirtualBox

Can emulate the actual
controller

High resource consumption
limits scalability

No virtualized controllers

Independent program
unrelated to real robots

Simulation

Integration with third-party physics engines;
comprehensive simulation capabilities

Self-developed rendering program; limited simulation capabilities

Self-developed ODE physics engine

Use

Hobby, education, job training, and verification of mass and sophisticated robot applications

Job training for robot
automation

Hobby, programming
education

Related company

MINTROBOT

Universal Robots, ABB, etc.

Microsoft

Conclusion

Mintrobot's Virtual Robot Controller (VRC) is an essential technology that shifts robotics development from hardware-dependent methods to a cloud-based, virtualized environment. VRC simplifies the development process and removes physical limitations, enabling developers, educators, and businesses to innovate more quickly and effectively. As a critical tool in modern robotics, VRC will shape the future of automation, making advanced robotic applications more accessible and reliable.

Background

What is the

Virtual Robot Controller?

Why do we need

Virtual Robot Controller?

Features

Structure of VRC

Workflow of VRC

Benefits of VRC

Comparison

1st Generation vs2nd Generation vs3rd Generation

Conclusion

1^st Generation vs
2^nd Generation vs
3^rd Generation