LabVIEW Robotics Module - Special Algorithms and APIs in the Robotics Palette

This tutorial introduces the robotics algorithms that come with the LabVIEW Robotics Module software. From sensors to path planning, you can use this product to design the next generation of complex automation systems.

The LabVIEW Robotics Module comes with a new, fully functional Robotics palette that contains the new algorithms needed to design the next generation of robotic controllers. This new palette of functions includes everything from sensor drivers to inverse kinematics. Please refer to the LabVIEW Help (see link below) for more information on the Robotics VIs.

* Use the Connect VIs to work with other robotics software, including third-party products such as Cogmation, MobileRobotics, Skilligent, and Microsoft.
* Use the Obstacle Avoidance VIs to implement obstacle avoidance capabilities for mobile robotic vehicles.
* Use the Path Planning VIs to calculate the length of a path to a target point in a map that represents the robot's surroundings.
* Use the Protocol VIs to process data formatted for different communication protocols in LabVIEW, such as data sent by sensors.
* Use the Robot Arm VIs ​​to create and interact with a virtual robotic arm. You can perform dynamic and kinematic calculations on the arm, simulate the arm, and prototype a robotic arm.
* Use the Sensor VIs to configure, control, and retrieve data from common instruments in robotic systems, such as serial and USB devices. Browse the Instrument I/O palette or use the NI Instrument Driver Finder to search for and install additional instrument drivers. [page]

Figure: The LabVIEW Robotics Module comes with a new complete Robotics palette that includes new algorithms for designing next-generation robotic controllers.
Connecting Sensors and Actuators

Since the first version of the LabVIEW programming language, it has been saving engineers time by connecting instruments and devices. Today, LabVIEW is the industry standard for connecting instruments using a rich set of high-quality instrument drivers. The LabVIEW Robotics Module takes advantage of this by connecting a complete set of robotic sensors and actuators. These drivers eliminate the time-consuming process of writing, testing, and implementing drivers for robotic systems. In fact, the LabVIEW Robotics Module includes many versions of sensor drivers for Windows, Real-Time Module, and FPGA-based platforms, ensuring that you can connect to the sensors appropriately to meet your I/O input needs.