AIBO ERS-7 Software Architecture

AIBO Software Development Environment (Called AIBO SDE below) can make software that either executes on AIBO, or executes on a PC and controls AIBO by using a wireless LAN. AIBO SDE contains three SDKs (Software Development Kits) and one motion editor (AIBO Motion Editor).

The three SDKs are named OPEN-R SDK, R-CODE SDK, and AIBO Remote Framework.

These development environments are provided free of charge.

(1) The OPEN-R SDK is a cross-development environment based on gcc (C++) with which you can make software that works on AIBO (ERS-7, ERS-210, ERS-220, ERS-210A, and ERS-220A).

Characteristics:

Disclose OPEN-R API

   Disclose OPEN-R API of system layer ("level-2" interface)

   You can utilize AIBO's functions such as:

     making AIBO's joints move

     get information from sensors

     get image from camera

     use wireless LAN(TCP/IP)

     etc...

Development environment provided free of charge

   All software tools are free.

   The OPEN-R SDK includes tools to make OPEN-R objects, sample programs, and "Memory Stick" images.

   (These images must be copied to a AIBO "Programming Memory Stick".)

   You can make programs with GNU Tools (GCC, Cygwin). The results can be distributed freely.

   You can distribute software made with the OPEN-R SDK.

   But commercial usage is strictly forbidden.

(2) The R-CODE SDK is an environment with which you can execute programs written 

in R-CODE, a scripting language, on AIBO(ERS-7).

The R-CODE SDK offers an environment to execute a simplified interpreted scripting language that can be used to program AIBO(ERS-7). You can use sensor data, variables, R-CODE's built-in commands, and more to program AIBO(ERS-7). 

You can program AIBO to walk or dance with only a few lines of code.

The R-CODE script/program can be executed by copying it to the AIBO Programming Memory Stick with the R-CODE system (runtime) files. You can upload an R-CODE script and debug it by using a wireless LAN.

(3) The AIBO Remote Framework is a Windows PC application development environment based on Visual C++, with which you can make software that runs on a Windows PC. The software can control AIBO(ERS-7) remotely via wireless LAN.

The AIBO Remote Framework contains a server program (VAIBOServer.exe), libraries and

header files for your PC application(client), as well as API documentation. The Windows PC application is made using Visual C++.

You can make sophisticated Windows-based applications for commercial use, such as

"AIBO Navigator".  (In fact, a "Simple Navigator" application is included as one of the 

Remote Framework sample programs).

(4) AIBO Motion Editor is a motion creation editor for AIBO(ERS-7). Motions created with AIBO Motion Editor can be used with the OPEN-R SDK, the R-CODE SDK, and the AIBO Remote Framework.

If you master using AIBO Motion Editor, you can make high quality motions such as the ones in commercial AIBO-ware.