Erwhi Hedgehog: A New Learning Platform for Mobile Robotics

Abstract

Erwhi Hedgehog is one of the smallest mobile robots. It enables mapping and vision analysis, and also displays machine learning features. Behaving like a small, curious animal, eager to explore the surroundings, the robot can be used to test navigation, mapping and localization algorithms, thus allowing the prototyping of new hardware and software for robotics. This application is particularly handy for educational robotics, at both high school and university level. On the one hand, the project is fully open source and open hardware under MIT license and available on Github, so everyone can build his/her own Erwhi Hedgehog robot with the aid of a step-by-step guide. On the other hand, students with more advanced knowledge can use it as a prototyping platform for developing new software programs and features. Erwhi uses Intel RealSense, AAEON UP Squared and Myriad X VPU technologies, with software based on the Robotic Operating System (ROS), and implements SLAM algorithms, such as RTAB-Map. The machine learning aspect is based on the OpenVINO framework and a dedicated ROS wrapper was used. The software package includes all the programs needed to create a Gazebo simulation. In terms of hardware, motor control is based on an STM32 microcontroller and the Arduino software, and the robot works on the differential drive unicycle model. Finally, Erwhi is compatible with AWS RoboMaker tools.