OutdoorNav™ Navigation Software Helps Developers Build Autonomous Vehicles Faster

WATERLOO - October 18, 2022 - Clearpath Robotics, a manufacturer of mobile robotics platforms for research and development, today launched OutdoorNav - an autonomous navigation software platform designed for vehicle developers, OEMs, and robotics researchers. Compatible with Clearpath's outdoor mobile platforms as well as third-party industrial vehicles, OutdoorNav provides reliable GPS-based navigation for faster, more efficient autonomous vehicle development.

"Robotics product development can often be a difficult, sometimes harrowing experience," said Bryan Webb, President of Clearpath Robotics. "Building a robust navigation system is expensive and risky, and it may prevent you from bringing your product to market in a timely fashion. We built and designed OutdoorNav to streamline your development of autonomous vehicles. You no longer need a full team of robotics navigation experts and months of prototyping to get your autonomous system into the field."

OutdoorNav software provides robust and reliable point-to-point GPS-based autonomous navigation through proprietary fusion of vehicle sensor data. When paired with compatible hardware, the software also provides built-in obstacle detection and avoidance, as well as continuous path planning, allowing off-road vehicles to navigate autonomously between waypoints collision-free.

Vehicle developers can interact with the software using a web-based user interface or through a documented API. Through the web-based interface, users can create, edit, monitor and manage autonomous missions, visualize data from onboard sensors, and view the vehicle's live position on an interactive map. Customized tasks, such as capturing sensor data or imagery at specific locations, can be easily assigned at waypoints.

The web-based interface also supports a teleoperation mode, which allows users to command and control the vehicles remotely via cellular connection using a virtual joystick. Onboard sensor data from network cameras, LiDARs, and other integrated components can be easily visualized in real-time.

The software comes with a well-documented Application Programming Interface (API) which allows developers to easily expand the capabilities of the software by integrating their custom ROS-based applications and graphical user interfaces, or by connecting third-party fleet management tools.

OutdoorNav software is compatible with Clearpath mobile platforms, including the Jackal UGV, Husky UGV, and Warthog UGV, as well as third-party vehicles with drive-by-wire control.

OutdoorNav is currently deployed on customer robots and in use in industry applications in construction progress monitoring, remote inspection of industrial facilities and autonomous navigation robotics research.


Clearpath Announces Developer Partner Program

In tandem with the launch of OutdoorNav, Clearpath Robotics has announced a new partner program to provide qualifying robotics developers access to discounted OutdoorNav software licenses, robot hardware, sensor kits, and support. Applications will be accepted until November 15th, 2022, with applicants selected on December 15th, 2022. https://clearpathrobotics.com/outdoornav-developer-partner-program/

About Clearpath Robotics
Clearpath Robotics is a global leader in unmanned vehicle robotics for research and development, and provides hardware, software, and services to enable self-driving vehicle development, deployment, and operation. Clearpath works with over 500 of the world's most innovative brands in over 40 countries, serving markets that span industrial materials handling, mining, military, agriculture, aerospace, and academia. Clearpath is an award-winning company with recent awards, including Robotics Business Review Top 50 Company, Edison Award for Innovation, Business Insider Top 40 under 40, and Canada's Top 100 Employers. Visit Clearpath Robotics at www.clearpathrobotics.com.