Free online URDF validator no ROS install, instant 9-check validation (also supports xacro)

A solo developer has launched RoboInfra, a free online tool that validates URDF (Unified Robot Description Format) files without requiring users to install ROS (Robot Operating System). The web-based validator performs 9 structural checks instantly, including verifying the root element, checking for duplicate link/joint names, validating joint parent/child references, confirming proper joint types, and ensuring revolute/prismatic joints include axis tags. It also supports .xacro files through server-side preprocessing using the official xacro Python package, meaning users don't need ROS installed locally.

The tool addresses a common pain point in robotics development where engineers previously needed full ROS installations just to catch basic structural errors in their URDF files. The free tier offers 50 validations per month with optional signup, while paid plans provide additional features including a Python SDK (pip install roboinfra-sdk), GitHub Action for PR validation, kinematic analysis for degrees of freedom and end effectors, and 3D model conversion to formats like STL, OBJ, FBX, GLB, and DAE. The developer is actively seeking feedback from the ROS community on validation usefulness and xacro support coverage.