An updated version of our OutdoorNAV autonomy software is now available! OutdoorNav users can update their software to access exciting new features and changes.
What’s New?
Mission Logging
Mission logging empowers the user to record general metadata about a mission/execution of the robot. This metadata includes any media captured during a mission (video, image, or audio), any failures or errors, how far and for how long the robot traveled, and other data. While these logs are started automatically whenever a mission is initiated, they can also be started manually to capture non-autonomous use. Users can also easily open the file browser to view the on-robot logs to quickly download or view any media related to the mission.
Viewing the execution logger main page.
Points of Interest
Users can now add special static points of interest (POI) to the map. These points can be tagged with custom tags made by the user or assigned either of the built-in tags: “goto” and “inspect”. When these built-in tags are applied, they allow users to perform actions such as navigating to the point of interest or moving a PTZ camera to inspect the point of interest. By allowing users to make their own tags, they are encouraged to develop their own applications to leverage the tags.
Creating a new Point of Interest.
User Interface / User Experience
The user interface (UI) map view has been improved to help users better manage their missions and network maps. These improvements include various editing mode controls, improved zooming controls, and the addition of map layers. Users can now show and hide various map features on the screen depending on their preferences.
Editing modes within the UI.
Showing/Hiding layers on the UI’s map view.
Improved PTZ
The pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera view has been improved to allow for easier use. On the main view, the user can drag a virtual joystick to move the camera in corresponding directions.
Moving the PTZ camera via the virtual joystick.
The Q62 Axis camera has also seen some features added to it. The Q62 camera can snap to a position by double clicking a spot on the screen. It can also perform a box zoom by holding the shift key and selecting an area on the view. All of these features allow for a seamless user experience of our PTZ cameras.
Snapping Q62 Axis camera to cursor position.
Box zoom with Q62 Axis camera.
Hardware Controller Teleoperation
When teleoperating the robot for long periods of time navigating using the OutdoorNav interface can become tiresome. To help make longer teleoperation sessions easier the user can now pair a PS4 controller with the computer that is running the OutdoorNav UI. Once paired, it will be as if you are using the controller directly connected to the robot.
Watchdogs
While a robot is autonomously navigating a site, there may be times when an event occurs where the user wants the robot to trigger a pause or stop action on the navigation. These events could include sensor failure, loss of network connectivity or RTK fix data, poor LiDAR data, or even dangerous inclinations. With our watchdog layer, the user can now manage autonomy behaviour and monitor these states when any such failure may occur. Several built-in watchdog’s are made available for the user, with the option to add new watchdogs according to the user’s particular use case.
The Watchdog main page.
UI Improvements
Users can now see when there is more than one instance of the OutdoorNav page being opened. This also shows whether it is opened on the user’s PC, how many tabs may be opened, and whether or not a controller is connected.
Current users on the robot.
Click here to view the OutdoorNAV release notes and documentation.
Ready to upgrade or learn more? Contact our team.