By Samudrapom DamReviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Updated on Jan 2 2025The Robot Operating System (ROS) is a type of middleware—a ready-made toolkit designed to help developers build software tailored to a robot’s unique needs. This system is equipped with a library of applications, tools, plug-ins, and a software framework, providing the foundation for efficient robot development.1-3
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In this article, we’ll explore what makes the ROS so essential to modern robotics. We’ll look at its features, how it is being used across industries, and the exciting updates that ROS 2 brings to the table. Along the way, we’ll dive into questions like:
- How does ROS make robotics development easier and more efficient?
- What kinds of robots are powered by ROS, and why is it so widely adopted?
- What does the future hold for ROS as robotics continues to evolve?
Let’s take a closer look at how ROS is shaping the future of robotics and why it’s such a game-changer in this field.
What is ROS?
The ROS is a flexible, open-source framework that supports robot software development. Acting as middleware, it provides services similar to an operating system, such as package management, interprocess communication, hardware abstraction, and visualization tools. This comprehensive toolkit streamlines tasks like device control and implementing common functionalities, allowing developers to focus on creating innovative solutions.
For over 10+ years the ROS project has produced a vast ecosystem of software for robotics by nurturing a global community of millions of developers and users who contribute to and improve that software. ROS is developed by and for that community, who will be its stewards into the future.
ROS.org
Take a look at this introductory video from the experts themselves at the ROS. It provides clear explanations directly from the creators of ROS, showcasing how this groundbreaking system is advancing robotics, transforming industries, and shaping the future of automation:
ROS Introduction (captioned)
Video Credit: https://ros.org/
Why is the ROS So Popular?
ROS has become an essential tool for both industry and academia. Its versatility enables it to support diverse robotic platforms, including underwater drones, aerial systems, humanoid robots, and ground vehicles. Iconic examples include the humanoid REEM-C, the PR-2 research robot, and platforms developed by ClearPath Robotics.
In the autonomous mobile robot (AMR) alone, ROS has helped to create billions of dollars in value.
ROS.org
One of ROS’s standout features is its ability to integrate seamlessly with sensors like cameras, lasers, GPS receivers, and inertial measurement units (IMUs). Additionally, ROS’s open-source repository offers developers prebuilt components for tasks such as motion planning, perception, and navigation. This extensive resource base fosters collaboration and significantly reduces development time.1-3
Key Features of the ROS
The design of ROS emphasizes simplicity and flexibility. Its modular architecture supports a tools-based development philosophy, encouraging developers to reuse sensor fusion algorithms, visualization modules, and control libraries. Native support for Unix-like systems ensures stability and performance, while cross-language compatibility expands its usability.
While ROS is Linux-based and doesn’t inherently provide hard real-time capabilities, it supports soft real-time applications. Its compatibility with widely used open-source tools like the Gazebo simulator, Point Cloud Library, and OpenCV enhances its functionality and versatility.
ROS is also designed with modularity and scalability in mind. By promoting code reuse and supporting multiple programming languages (including Python, C++, and Lisp), ROS ensures that developers can build systems that adapt to various robotic platforms. Furthermore, it integrates well with real-time systems, making it a valuable tool for large-scale research and commercial projects alike.1-3
How ROS Works: The Basics
ROS is built around several foundational concepts:1-3
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Nodes: These are individual software processes that handle specific tasks, such as controlling actuators, processing sensor data, or executing algorithms. Dividing a system into nodes enhances its modularity, making it easier to debug and maintain.
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Messages: Nodes communicate using messages, which are structured packets of data. These messages can range from simple numerical values to complex nested data structures, allowing for versatile information exchange.
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Topics: ROS uses a publisher/subscriber model for data exchange. Nodes publish messages to specific topics, and other nodes subscribe to those topics to receive the data. This design decouples communication, enabling flexibility and scalability.
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Services: When nodes require direct responses, such as executing a specific command, they use services. This request-response mechanism complements the asynchronous nature of topics.
Applications of ROS
ROS has proven its utility across a variety of industries:2-4
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Industrial Automation: ROS powers robotic arms and automated guided vehicles (AGVs), enabling complex manufacturing workflows and seamless integration between systems.
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Healthcare Robotics: From surgical tools to assistive devices, ROS facilitates the development of robots that improve patient care by assisting in surgeries, rehabilitation, and monitoring.
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Agriculture: Robots equipped with ROS perform tasks like crop monitoring, planting, and harvesting, increasing efficiency while addressing labor shortages.
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Autonomous Vehicles: ROS provides essential tools for navigation, perception, and planning, enabling autonomous vehicles to operate reliably in dynamic environments.
Advances with ROS 2
ROS 2 represents the next generation of robotic middleware, addressing the limitations of its predecessor while introducing new capabilities. Built on the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, ROS 2 offers improved real-time performance, better support for multi-robot systems, and enhanced security.
A key strength of ROS 2 is its ability to integrate with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning frameworks. This combination empowers robots to learn from data, adapt to changing environments, and perform increasingly sophisticated tasks. For example, developers have successfully implemented ROS 2 on the NVIDIA Jetson Platform to create advanced autonomous systems.5
Companies like Rethink Robotics and Clearpath Robotics have leveraged ROS 2 to create cutting-edge solutions, ranging from collaborative robots designed for industrial use to scalable navigation platforms for warehouses and logistics.
The Road Ahead
The future of ROS is incredibly promising. With ongoing advancements in ROS 2, we are witnessing the development of smarter, more capable robotic systems that can handle increasingly complex tasks. As AI and machine learning continue to evolve, their integration with ROS is unlocking exciting opportunities—from personalized robots in healthcare that cater to individual patient needs to fully autonomous agricultural machines revolutionizing farming practices.
ROS has already proven to be a game-changer in robotics. By offering a robust, open-source framework, it has empowered developers and researchers to innovate, collaborate, and build cutting-edge solutions. As the technology progresses, ROS will remain a vital tool for pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve, shaping industries, and improving lives in ways we can only begin to imagine.
Want to Learn More About Robot Operating Systems?
Robot operating systems are transforming industries by making robotics more accessible, flexible, and innovative. From enabling advanced automation to creating smarter healthcare tools, ROS is setting the stage for the next wave of robotic advancements.
Curious to explore further? Here are some articles to check out:
Whether you want to explore the technical aspects or investigate their real-world applications, there’s so much to discover about the future of robotics. Stay ahead of the curve and learn more about how ROS is shaping the way we interact with technology and the world around us.
References and Further Reading
- Serrano, D. Introduction to ROS– Robot Operating System [Online] Available at https://www.sto.nato.int/publications/STO%20Educational%20Notes/STO-EN-SCI-271/EN-SCI-271-06.pdf (Accessed on 02 January 2025)
- Macenski, S., Foote, T., Gerkey, B., Lalancette, C., & Woodall, W. (2022). Robot operating system 2: Design, architecture, and uses in the wild. Science Robotics, 7(66), eabm6074. DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.abm6074, https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/scirobotics.abm6074
- Bonci, A., Gaudeni, F., Giannini, M. C., Longhi, S. (2023). Robot Operating System 2 (ROS2)-Based Frameworks for Increasing Robot Autonomy: A Survey. Applied Sciences, 13(23), 12796. DOI: 10.3390/app132312796, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/23/12796 (Accessed on 02 January 2025)
- Robot Operating System (ROS): The Future of Automation [Online] Available at https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/robot-operating-system-ros-the-future-of-automation/ (Accessed on 02 January 2025)
- Bhide, A., Chadha, R., Kulkarni, A. (2020) Implementing Robotics Applications with ROS 2 and AI on the NVIDIA Jetson Platform [Online] Available at https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/implementing-robotics-applications-with-ros-2-and-ai-on-jetson-platform-2/ (Accessed on 02 January 2025)
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