Robotic SDK provides navigation and mapping capabilities.

Press Release Summary:



Karto(TM) SDK v1.1 features algorithms for high-accuracy mapping and autonomous navigation and exploration. It includes visual odometer module that enables robot to use single stereo camera as input to maintain relative position. Network module allows robot to send odometry data and laser readings over network and offloads mapping computation from robots' computer. Software also includes save and restore mapping, multi-device mapping, as well as vector and multi-floor support.



Original Press Release:



SRI International Releases New Version of Karto Software for Mobile Robot Navigation



MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 8 / / - SRI International, an independent, nonprofit research and development institute, today announced the release of version 1.1 of SRI's Karto(TM) Software Development Kit (SDK). Karto SDK is a comprehensive software solution for robotic navigation and mapping that incorporates some of the most advanced and robust algorithms for high-accuracy mapping and autonomous navigation and exploration.

This updated version of Karto adds two new modules to the robot navigation suite: a visual odometer module that enables a robot to use a single stereo camera as input to maintain relative position, and a network module that provides basic remote data transmission to the mapping module.

The visual odometer, which works best outdoors, only needs input from the stereo camera and does not require any information about the environment.

The network module provides basic remote data transmission to the mapping module. It allows a robot to send its odometry data and laser readings over a network. The module's main application is to enable a simple robot that does not have sufficient computation power to offload mapping computation.

"This new version of the Karto Software Development Kit offers users a faster navigation module with improved functions and speed gains of 10 times or more compared to earlier versions," said Regis Vincent, Ph.D., program manager in the Artificial Intelligence Center at SRI International.

In response to customer requests, new Karto SDK functionalities include:

- Manual loop closure

- Save and restore mapping

- Multi-device mapping that can be applied on the same robot or multiple robots

- Vector map support

- Multi-floor support coordinated to produce a coherent coordinate system across all floors

For additional information about KARTO SDK, visit: http://www.kartorobotics.com/

About SRI International

Silicon Valley-based SRI International is one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations. SRI, which was founded by Stanford University as Stanford Research Institute in 1946 and became independent in 1970, has been meeting the strategic needs of clients and partners for more than 60 years. Perhaps best known for its invention of the computer mouse and interactive computing, SRI has also been responsible for major advances in networking and communications, robotics, drug discovery and development, advanced materials, atmospheric research, education research, economic development, national security, and more. The nonprofit institute performs sponsored research and development for government agencies, businesses, and foundations. SRI also licenses its technologies, forms strategic alliances, and creates spin-off companies. In 2008, SRI's consolidated revenues, including its wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, Sarnoff Corporation, were approximately $490 million.

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