Seamless integration of Dracal’s data in SPOT robot for smart factory by OSEDEA
Discussion with Robin Kurtz, OSEDEA's Spot Specialist
″We were in full R&D mode when we first looked at Dracal products. My task was to work on various ways to add functionality to the Boston Dynamics Spot robot, we wanted to prepare for and offer additional value to our clients who would integrate the platform. One of my tasks was to incorporate some sensors and visualize their outputs, the idea being that Spot would be mobilizing these sensors gaining our end users more insight on their facilities.
The frustration I encountered stemmed from the fact that the sensors I found on the market were all handheld, all-in-one devices that would be difficult or impossible to interface with using a programming language. Additionally, if I found a temperature sensor and a CO2 sensor for instance, they were likely from different vendors, leading to highly specific, non-scalable implementations. Our goal was to create scalable solutions, where we could integrate more data from different hardware without needing to redevelop or reprogram the logic.
That’s when we discovered Dracal, which provided an all-in-one solution with a wide variety of sensors. There were many advantages to opting for their solution. First and foremost, Dracal offered several precision sensors with USB protocol, which meant I could integrate them into Boston Dynamic’s (back then) Edge CORE, or newer CORE I/O payload without much hassle. Additionally, with the Dracal command-line tools, integration was extremely quick. Having one simple way to interface with various sensors meant that I was able to create a scalable solution which is always a big plus for the work we do.
It was quite simple to get up and running once I had them on hand. The documentation and code examples available online made it possible to read my sensor data within minutes. I think the ah-ha moment was really when I saw the CO2 levels fluctuate on my screen as I continuously pulled the sensor readings. Following that, being able to containerize the logic I built with the Dracal command-line tools and create a nice bundle of services to read, store, and display multiple sensor data over time was a nice final tick letting me know that Dracal was the right choice. Overall, using Dracal's solution was truly plug-and-play, and the integration process was much quicker than I expected.
At Osedea, we’re all about innovating and taking the complexity out of simple tasks like getting a CO2 level, or a temperature measurement. With Dracal products and their command line tools, we can do this quite easily, and with the confidence that we can scale as clients require new types of data or more insight into their facilities. This means we can focus on bringing more innovation and not fiddle with the intricacies of hardware.″
Robin Kurtz, Spot Solutions Specialist & Senior Software Developer
Industry
Innovation firm - software development, AI, UX UI design, robotics
Customer
OSEDEA is a Montreal-based innovation firm specializing in the creation of customized technological solutions for businesses. Founded in 2011, Osedea stands out for its expertise in artificial intelligence, software engineering, user experience design (UX/UI) and robotics, in addition to its approach centred on innovation and collaboration with its customers. Osedea designs and engineers innovative solutions in the manufacturing, health, mining and finance industries.
Project
The initiative aimed to enhance the capabilities of the Boston Dynamics Spot robot by integrating additional sensors to provide clients with valuable insights into their facilities. The focus was on developing innovative solutions that would enable the robot to mobilize sensors effectively, thereby improving data visualization and functionality.
Implementation
Dracal's precision sensors have been integrated into the Boston Dynamics Spot robot, utilizing the robot's Edge CORE and CORE I/O systems. They configured the sensors to monitor environmental variables and created a user-friendly interface for visualizing the data. The team developed a system to collect and store sensor readings over time, enabling real-time data analysis. By leveraging Dracal's command-line tools, they efficiently aggregated and displayed multiple sensor outputs, ensuring scalability and ease of use for future enhancements.
Dracal Products
SPECTRUM100, DXC120, VOC100
Contribution to the project
Dracal's precision USB sensors allowed for seamless connection to the robot's existing systems, greatly simplifying the integration process and enabling OSEDEA to deploy solutions quickly. The command-line tools facilitated immediate access to sensor data, streamlining development and allowing OSEDEA to focus on creating scalable solutions without the usual technical challenges. This combination of reliable hardware and user-friendly tools significantly enhanced the project's overall effectiveness, empowering OSEDEA to deliver innovative features that met client needs and maintained a competitive advantage in the market.
Customer Feedback
The integration of Dracal's sensors enabled rapid and efficient innovation, allowing the team to focus on developing advanced features for clients. The reliability of Dracal's technology simplified complex integration challenges, significantly enhancing the project’s overall effectiveness and the OSEDEA's ability to meet evolving demands.
