Open graphics system for 3D-mapping validation on robotics

An innovative product for 3D-mapping validation on robotics is introduced on this paper as result of the application of a multi-robot programming and simulation software to that purpose. The software, called Virtual Robot Simulator (VRS), has an open design that facilitates the integration of user applications by means of external components that give access to its main functionalities. For example, realistic and smart graphics representation of 3D-maps can be easily generated using simple functions. In fact, the user can concentrate the efforts on implementing sensor models, signal filters, 3D-mapping methods and so on, and leave the arduous work of graphics representation to VRS. Then VRS acts as a "true" virtual cell composed of robots with sensors moving on their environment and reflecting the actions of the user's application. Even more, the specific physical sensor and robot is transparent to the user when decides to take the best of the hierarchical software structure offered to manage this kind of system. A practical example is commented on in the paper.