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The map frame is the result of a localization node. Typical global localization algorithms such as SLAM for instance are absolute but are not continuous due to sensor noise for instance.

Therefore, it is better not to inject them directly into the robot command. On the opposite, the odometry provided by the PR2 wheel encoders for instance are continuous but is less and less precise over time. See robot_pose_ekf for instance as a way to merge both strategies.

So yes you are right, the map frame provide a global position of the robot base link. However, depending on your localization algorithm this position may "jump".

The map frame is the result of a localization node. Typical global localization algorithms such as SLAM for instance are absolute but are movements in the map frame is not continuous due to sensor noise for instance.

Therefore, it is better not to inject them directly into the robot command. On the opposite, the odometry provided by the PR2 wheel encoders for instance are continuous but is less and less precise over time. See robot_pose_ekf for instance as a way to merge both strategies.

So yes you are right, the map frame provide a global position of the robot base link. However, depending on your localization algorithm this position may "jump".