In a joint project between Basler AG and drag and bot GmbH, Basler's 2D cameras were integrated into the graphical robot programming software drag&bot. Thanks to the integration of the proven Basler pylon Camera Software Suite into the drag&bot software, it is now possible to intuitively operate Basler 2D cameras in robotic applications. A second result of the cooperation is an improved driver for Basler 2D cameras for the Open Source Framework ROS.

Ahrensburg, 17 October 2019 - In the past, programming robots with vision components usually required both robotics knowledge and knowledge of the manufacturer-specific robot programming language. The drag&bot software simplifies the programming of industrial robots. The program flow is defined in a graphical user interface via drag-and-drop by selecting and compiling individual function blocks. These function blocks are, for example, a robot movement, closing the gripper or locating a workpiece. Intuitive operating and input aids - known as wizards - are available for adaptation, supporting the user in the parameterization of individual function blocks.

The Basler pylon Camera Software Suite for Linux has now been embedded into the drag&bot software. The integration of the software suite makes it possible to install and calibrate Basler 2D cameras in the drag&bot software with just a few mouse clicks. Users benefit from the proven driver stability and simple camera configuration of the pylon software. The camera is then ready for use and image processing functions, especially for part localization, can be used in robot applications via drag&bot's graphical user interface.

Basler cameras are integrated via the pylon camera driver for the Robot Operating System (ROS). An enhanced version of the pylon ROS driver is available for download via github and enables the integration of Basler 2D cameras into ROS projects. ROS is an open source framework for the development of robot systems. It was originally developed for service robots, but is increasingly being used to develop innovative solutions in industrial robotics. The ROS driver supports both USB and GigE-2D cameras and allows the use of a variety of camera functions and parameters.

drag and bot GmbH is a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) in Stuttgart. The company's vision is to make programming industrial robots as easy as using a smartphone. For this purpose drag and bot GmbH develops and distributes the robot manufacturer independent software drag&bot and offers services around the planning and development of robotic solutions.