Robots That Follow You and Drag Couches: Latest in Open Source
Robots are getting better at everyday tasks — and you can now use the same software.
Deep Dive
This week's robotics news highlights open-source progress: a grad student released source code for an indoor following robot with a Gazebo and ROS 2 simulation stack, and a video shows Agility Robotics' Digit robot dragging a couch. These developments build on the free, open-source Robot Operating System (ROS), helping more startups and hobbyists collaborate on warehouse, home, and other robotics applications.
Key Points
- A student in Sweden just released free code for a robot that follows people indoors, so anyone can build upon that technology.
- Bimo is a new open-source bipedal robot kit that lets students and hobbyists experiment with walking robots.
- Agility Robotics' robot Digit was shown dragging a couch, proving physical strength and balance are advancing quickly.
- ROSCon Global is in Toronto from September 22–24, with regular tickets available for only three more days.
Why It Matters
Open-source robotics makes machines cheaper, smarter, and real for homes, hospitals, and deliveries — sooner than you think.