Moving Base set distance without Navigation stack

asked 2016-04-21 12:34:56 -0600

luketheduke
283 ●24 ●33 ●37

updated 2016-04-21 14:14:11 -0600

I am using a Beaglebone Black on a iRobot Create 2 for some experimenting. I want to be able to move the base a set amount without using the navigation stack, as the Beaglebone would be overwhelmed. I am using the new Create driver that came out and it publishes /odom and subscribes to /cmd_vel. Is there a way to accomplish this? I only need to move about 12 inches but I need to move as precisely as possible. Thanks, luketheduke

answered 2016-04-21 13:37:38 -0600

jacobperron

1870 ●10 ●44 ●32

updated 2016-04-21 13:51:35 -0600

The wheel odometry from the Create is not the greatest. I would expect it to be able to travel 12 inches (+- 0.5inch) on wheel encoders alone, but you can let me know.

I would record a reference odometry message before you command the robot to move. Then continually compute the distanced travelled by taking the difference between the current odometry message and the reference. When the robot has travelled the desired distance, send a zero command to /cmd_vel. Don't forget the units reported on /odom are in meters. I'd expect the slower you command the robot to move, the closer you'll be able to stop at the desired mark. Also note that when rotation is involved, the odometry estimate becomes worse.

EDIT: To clarify, I am suggesting writing your own controller node that subscribes to /odom and publishes to /cmd_vel.