Image and/or video processing can be technically difficult. Home robots are continuously moving towards PC based systems (laptop, netbook, embedded, etc.) that have the power to support complex image processing functions. RoboRealm provides the software needed to get such a system up and running. We've compiled many image processing functions into an easy to use windows based application that you can use with a webcam, TV Tuner, IP Camera, etc. Use RoboRealm to see your robot's environment, process the acquired image, analyze what needs to be done and send the needed signals to your robot's motors, servos, etc.

For example, you can use RoboRealm to track colored objects, navigate with obstacle avoidance, identify fiducials that let your robot know where it is, and much more!

Highlights

Easy to Use GUI Interface Hundreds of Image Processing Modules Realtime Parameter Changes Inexpensive Vision Application Fully Supported Server API Multiple Image Sources (IEEE 1394 firewire, webcam, movie files, web images, etc.) Multiple Output Interfaces (File, Web, FTP, Email, etc) Plugin Framework for Custom Modules Active Online Community with help from the experts FREE 30 day trial of RoboRealm v2.50.23

$ - RoboRealm Personal $39.95 - RoboRealm Academic (requires application) $ - RoboRealm Commercial $ - AVM Navigator Module $ - DVR Module $20 - Shipping and Handling (USA Only - Sorry, we cannot ship internationally.) Total: $ Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery. * Windows 98, 2000, NT, XP, Vista, Win7 only. * Select "Don't have a paypal account" in paypal to pay with a credit card.

What's New

Apr 27, 2013 - Competition - EvilTurtle Wins RoboMagellan at RoboGames Mt. SAC Robotics Team placed first in RoboMagellan with their "Evil Turtle" robot. Evil Turtle runs RoboRealm on-board. The Evil Turtle was the only robot this year that was able to reach the Finish Cone.

Apr 15, 2013 - Module - Control » Robots » XYZbot Fritz The XYZbot_Fritz module provides an interface to the successfully funded Fritz robotic puppet that is still in an active Kickstarter campaign. There are 13 servos in the advanced version of Fritz that are driven by an Arudino microcontroller. This module will communicate with the Arduino microcontroller inside Fritz to position each of those servos based on variables within RoboRealm. Using this interface you can move Fritz based on visual stimuli such as colored objects, fiducials, movements, etc. If the campaign reaches $35K, everyone that pledges for at least the basic version of the robotic head will receive a FREE copy of RoboRealm.

Feb 1, 2013 - Module - Matching » Target Localization The Target Localization module provides detection of a specified target to calculate the position of the camera/robot based on the orientation and size of the target. As long as the target is in view this module can provide similar results to a GPS module but indoors.

Jan 13, 2013 - Competition - Tutorial » Ultimate Ascent RoboRealm is actively supporting this year's 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition and is in this year's KOP (Kit of Parts). With the allowance of laptop/netbooks to be placed on the robot, RoboRealm is a viable vision platform for the Autonomous period and human controlled parts of the competition (Augmented Driving). We are happy to announce that this support comes with free copies of RoboRealm every team. To apply for this donation please see the Coupon code in your KOP and head to FRC 2013 to get your download link. Good luck at the competition!

Dec 3, 2012 - Module - Extensions » Network Tables The Network Tables module implements the FIRST FRC Network tables protocol to provide sharing of information amoungst machines including that of the CRio.

Nov 13, 2012 - Module - Matching » Face Detection The face detection module is used to detect the presense of faces within an image.

Sept 11, 2012 - Module - Control » Robots » cmRobot Element The cmRobot_Element module provides an interface from RoboRealm to the cmRobot Element robot controller. The module provides an interface to configure the appropriate communication port and speed to the controller and allows you to view and modify settings by using the GUI based sliders and text editing areas.

July 11, 2012 - Module - Control » Other » State Machine The State Machine (or Finite State Machine) module provides an easy way to define a set of states and transitions between those states that is often needed in robotic applications. The module defines a state as a set of variables that contain specific values. As RoboRealm communicates between modules using variables a state can define a specific action (like moving a robot forward). Transitions between those states are defined as conditional statements that check for specific values of other variables (such as the distance to an object from an IR sensor) in order to change the current state of the module.

July 5, 2012 - Module - Control » Cameras » Playstation Eye The Code Laboratories Playstation Eye module provides an interface to the Playstation Eye Camera using the Code Laboratories Eye driver. The CL Drivers provide numerous interface components to the Playstation Cameras including the ability to access more than one camera at a time. This provides the ability to utilize these cameras for stereo purposes and for high speed fps image capture.

April 7, 2012 - Event - Event » AUTOMATE Denver For those in the Colorado Area, AUTOMATE! Denver will showcase developments in robotics; Roboticists, Makers, and Inventors from local companies and clubs. Colorado residents will have a great opportunity to become familiar with the amazing robotic community that is present in Colorado. This is during the National Robotics Week that celebrates the US as a leader in robotics technology development. To find an event in your location check the event map.

January 15, 2012 - Competition - Tutorial » Rebound Rumble Tutorials In the spirit of inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders, RoboRealm is actively supporting this year's Rebound Rumble FIRST challenge. With the allowance of laptop/netbooks to be placed on the robot, RoboRealm has now become a viable vision platform for the Hybrid (Autonomous) period and human controlled parts of the competition (Augmented Driving). We are happy to announce that this support comes with free copies of RoboRealm for any team that chooses to use RoboRealm in some way for the competition. To apply for this donation please Contact us and send us your team number, location and website URL. Good luck at the competition!

December 21, 2011 - Module - Control » Robots » Xaxxon Oculus The Oculus module provides a way to interface RoboRealm with the Xaxxon Oculus robot. The Oculus platform instantly converts a small laptop into a telerobotic, remotely operated vehicle. The platform allows the robot to also be converted into an Autonomous System by running applications on the netbook. Using the onboard camera provided in most netbooks today, you can use the Oculus robot as an inexpensive vision based robot that provides a familiar keyboard, touchpad, and monitor (i.e. the netbook) to work with. You can pre-order and/or help out the creator of the Oculus robot by contributing to KickStarter.

December 12, 2011 - Price Alert - Warning, as of Jan 1st, 2012 RoboRealm's price will be changing. Pricing for personal and academic use will be lowered but pricing for commercial use will be increased. As we enter our fourth year in selling our machine vision robotic application we are happy to now be in a position that allows us to make RoboRealm even more accessible to hobbyists and academics. Through the continued enthusiasm of RoboRealm from all domains of robotics and computing we look forward to the new challenges that 2012 will bring and will continue to provide new modules that allow you to easily utilize some of the most powerful imaging techniques, device interfaces, and algorithm explorations.

August 9, 2011 - Module - Plugins » Digital Video Recorder The DVR module is another 3rd party plugin from EDV that is distributed along with RoboRealm. This module adds a digital video recorder to RoboRealm that can be used either as a Video Surveillance System or a debugging tool that saves all variable values while other modules are running.

July 31, 2011 - Tutorial - Tutorial » Hand Gestures This tutorial describes one way to use RoboRealm to recognize hand gestures from an overhead webcam looking down at a single hand over a solid background.

July 24, 2011 - Tutorial - Tutorial » Counting Dice This tutorial shows how to use a webcam and RoboRealm to count the value of dice that are placed in front of a camera.

June 6, 2011 - Module - Control » Robots » Finch Robot The Finch Robot module provides an interface to the BirdBrain Technologies Finch Robot from RoboRealm. This $99 dollar robot has 2 servo motors, 2 photoresistors (light sensors), 2 IR distance sensors, a thermister, buzzer, 3 axis accelerometer and a multi-colored LED. This module provides access to all the robot's features from a GUI and allows you to combine them with the additional capabilities of a camera.

May 25, 2011 - Module - Matching » Origin Probe The Origin Probe module allows you to specify a reference position that can be used in other probe modules to specify relative placement based on the origin. This is useful if you cannot use long measurement probes with your object due to size constraints but can use long probes to create a reference position. This enables the system to compensate for large movements without compromising measurement positioning.

May 21, 2011 - Module - Variables » Differential Drive The Differential Drive module provides a quick and easy way to convert from a forward/backward and left/right input into a forward/backward left and right wheel. This is often needed when mapping an input device like a joystick into a differential drive robot.

May 19, 2011 - Module - Control » Cameras » XIMEA Camera The XIMEA Camera module provides access to the XIMEA line of cameras that use the M3API protocol. XIMEA produces a range of high quality cameras for use in industrial machine vision applications. One of their latest cameras, the CURRERA RL13, is innovating the way smart cameras are created by combining high end optics with an embedded PC capable of running Microsft Windows all in a small compact package. This environment makes a great host for the RoboRealm application when industrial solutions are desired.

May 18, 2011 - Module - Control » Cameras » Foscam Internet Camera The Foscam Internet Camera module provides access to the Foscam cameras that stream video over the internet. Most of the Foscam units provide pan & tilt capabilities and night vision at a reasonable price.

Feb 02, 2011 - Modules - Control » Servos » Robotis Dynamixel The Robotis Dynamixel module provides an easy to use GUI interface to the RoadNarrows Graboid Series D gripper. The Graboid is an ideal solution for those looking for a simple, low-cost gripper with force feedback for their robotic application. Built around 2 Robotis Dynamixel AX-12A Actuators, the gripper offers two degrees of freedom, wrist up/down, and gripper open/close.

Jan 22, 2011 - Modules - Control » Other » MCU Communicator RoboRealm provides access to many microprocessors through dedicated modules which provide interfaces to most of the functionality available in the MCU. However, there are times when a simple transmission of a variable's value to an MCU would be preferred over a dedicated module. In this scenario, a value is sent from RoboRealm to an MCU which is able to execute on that value within the processing capabilities of the MCU. This allows for programs to be written on the MCU that may provide better reaction time to sensed events than passing those events back to the PC. The MCU Communicator module provides a generic mailbox module to facilitate this communication.

Jan 18, 2011 - Modules - Control » Other » Pololu Orangutan SVP The Pololu Orangutan SVP is an ideal controller for a mid to small sized robot. It provides many of the capabilities one would want on a robot including motors controllers, digital input and output, analog input, 2 line LCD screen and servo (PWM) control. All that functionality also comes at a very reasonable price! The SVP module provides an easy way to interface from your PC to this controller from RoboRealm.

Jan 17, 2011 - Modules - Matching » Object Recognition The Object Recognition module provides a way to identify specific trained objects within the current image. Once the module is trained with sample template images it will identify those objects within the current image depending on the filtered parameters of confidence, size, rotation, etc. Templates are saved as regular JPG images that can be moved, edited and changed using any paint program. Several object matching techniques are provided as each has its advantages within different environments.

Jan 17, 2011 - Modules - Control » Other » Sparkfun Mega To complement the Sparkfun Arduino, RoboRealm now includes a module specifically for the Arduino Mega which adds more servos, more digital and more analog pins for your projects! If you haven't heard about the Arduino boards be sure to check them out for your next robotic projects.

Jan 17, 2011 - Modules - Control » Other » Sparkfun SerIO If you are not quite up to speed with the Arduino line of products but want to scale into them be sure to have a look at the Sparkfun SerIO board which provides a bunch of PWM, Digital and Analog lines run by a pre-programmed Arduino behind the scenes. Its a quick and easy way to take advantage of the Arduino line of products while still having the ability to scale to a regular Arduino with your own custom programming if needed.

Nov 16, 2010 - Modules - Control » Cameras » Microsoft Kinect The Microsoft Kinect module provides an interface to the Microsoft Kinect XBOX 360 sensor. The sensor is remarkably useful for robotics and is a great depth sensor at a reasonable price. The main feature of the Kinect is that it provides a 640x480 depth map in realtime (30 fps) that indicates which objects are near versus far in the given scene. This is invaluable for use in obstacle avoidance and navigation. In addition to the depth sensor the Kinect also provides a traditional 640x480 RGB image, a 3 axis accelerometer, the ability to tilt its head and a nifty LED that you can even change the colors on!

Sept 27, 2010 - Modules - Transforms » Align Image The Align Image module provides a way to align two images. The module will look for characteristic properties between two images in an effort to determine how they overlap. It will determine the translation (X,Y) movement, the Z plane rotation or orientation and the scale changes between the two images. This module was developed to allow for comparison between two images that may be somewhat misaligned such as in a security setting to determine abandoned or removed objects. It also incorporates image differencing in order to visually see differences between the two images.

Sept 18, 2010 - Modules - Plugins » Navigator The AVM Navigator module is our first 3rd party plugin that is distributed along with RoboRealm. This zippy module adds some great object recognition capabilities that are extended into visual navigation to get your robot around the room. Detailed information about the AVM algorithm can be found here. There are a bunch of great videos that show off the capabilities of the module. Best of all, it's an inexpensive plugin.

August 3, 2010 - Modules - Control » Other » Trossen Robot Turret The Trossen Robot Turret module provides an interface to the Desktop MosquitIO and other Pan/Tilt system created and sold by Trossen Robotics. The robotic turret platform provides a very complete and easy way to integrate pan and tilt functionality into your robotics project. In addition to the Arduino based MosquitIO board providing the servo PWM signals it also has 2 motor controller ports, 3 analog in pins and 5 digital input/output pins. This provides enough control capability for whatever you happen to chose to attach to the top of the pan/tilt system.

July 27, 2010 - Modules - Extensions » CScript Program Joining the ranks of the VBScript and Python pluging modules is the CScript module that uses PicoC interpreter to allow you to use C code to perform simple tasks within RoboRealm. As always, for more power and control you can use any of the Plugin or API architecture to extend RoboRealm using more traditional programming tools.

July 17, 2010 - Show - Robotics Expo and Mini Maker Faire Join us and many other robotic companies and enthusiasts on Sat, July 17th at Club Workshop in Denver, Colorado for the Robotics Expo and Mini Maker Faire. We're celebrating what makes robotics really cool by gathering together many of the local makers and roboticists at Club Workshop to share and enjoy everything robotic. We're expecting to have quite a few robotic companies and local organizations participating. If you are in the area and enjoy robots and things, stop by to support your local community as it stands to be quite a show. Best of all, it is free to attend!

June 26, 2010 - Modules - Control » Other » Sparkfun Arduino Have a look at the Sparkfun Arduino Duemilanove if you are looking for a servo controller plus digital and analog input/output lines for your next project. Using a generic micro-controller as a part of your robotic project provides some nice flexibility if you need to quickly react to inputs before reporting back to the PC brain. The Sparkun Arduino module provides a quick way to get servo, digital and analog controls in your project and provides a good framework in example Sketch code to customize your system beyond the original use. With 6 servo controls, 6 analog in and 14 digital in/out the Duemilanove can become a valuable and inexpensive part of your project.

June 24, 2010 - Modules - Point Features » Sample Curve The Sample Curve module can be used to detect points in an objects outline that have high curvature. For example, an image of a hand exhibits high curvature at the fingertips and inbetween the fingers. Isolating just the convex points leaves you with just the location of the fingertips.

June 17, 2010 - Modules - Control » Other » Phidgets RFID The Phidgets RFID module provides an interface to the Phidgets RFID tag reader. Using this device any RFID tag placed about 3 inches from the reader will respond with a unique identification number. This number can then be used to localize the robot, detect the presence of specific objects or be used to indicate tasks to perform.

June 17, 2010 - Modules - Other » Phidgets Accelerometer The Phidgets Accelerometer module provides an interface to the Phidgets Accelerometer. Using this module you can read all 3 axis of the Accelerometer by accessing the appropriate variables created by this module. This can be used to determine if your robot is tilted in a way that may flip it over. Accelerometers are also very useful in balancing robots to help them stay on two wheels!

June 12, 2010 - Modules - Extensions » HTTP The Web is the largest repository of information known to humans. With the HTTP module you can now leverage some of that knowledge by sending and receiving information over HTTP (the web's protocol) and utilize that information within your Robotic project. With the HTTP module's powerful tag based extraction language you can automate the extraction of textual information from many websites regardless of if they provide a feed or not. Included in the documentation are examples on how to grab stock quotes, jokes, and the current weather.

Apr 29, 2010 - Modules - Other » GPS Reader The GPS Reader module provides a way to interface RoboRealm to most NMEA GPS devices that can be hooked up to a PC using either a USB or serial connection. GPS devices provide a wealth of information including latitude and longitude that can be used to localize where your robot is, it's heading and where it should go. The GPS Reader module interprets the NMEA text from the GPS device to provide you with a visible interface of the course your robot has taken and allows you to specify waypoints that can be used to create a path.

Apr 29, 2010 - Modules - Other » Hokuyo URG Laser Scanner The Hokuyo URG module provides an interface to the URG laser scanner. This small, compact and speedy scanner is ideal for robots that need obstacle avoidance or navigation using a laser scanner. The scanner is capable of 100 ms scans (10 fps) and can detect objects up to distances of several meters. You can purchase one of these great scanners from stores like RoadNarrows.

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If you're interested in buying a robot have a look at our list of Robot Stores.

Check out our Getting started with Machine Vision, Vision Software, Computer Vision, and Image Processing or our Introduction to Servos to help get you started.