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The Scythe M.52 autonomous mower is designed for business landscapers. | Credit: Scythe Robotics
Scythe Robotics launched its first open-source software program stack. CANfetti is a CANopen-compliant stack developed to beat the restrictions of current libraries. Written and refined over the previous a number of years by Scythe’s firmware and software program groups, CANfetti considerably lowers the barrier to entry with an open-source, easy-to-use, and production-grade library for strong CANopen communications.
“Given the complex communication needs across the range of specialized components in Scythe M.52, we knew we’d have to leverage a higher level CAN protocol,” stated Matt Quick, lead firmware engineer at Scythe. “A number of our vendors already support CANopen, making it a great fit for us. But as advantageous as CANopen is, the available open source libraries were frankly a headache to integrate and had severe functional limitations, so we built our own solution.”
The Scythe group discovered the APIs and designs of present open-source frameworks too constraining for integrating into its M.52 autonomous lawnmower in a constant method throughout each firmware and software program.
To overcome the rigidity of different choices, CANfetti introduces the power to make use of dynamic Object Dictionary sorts that permit simpler integration of advanced runtime habits. And with a considerably extra versatile API, CANfetti supplies engineers with a drop-in CANopen stack that doesn’t get in the best way and lets them construct their system round it.
Most open-source CANopen libraries are now not actively being developed, with many deserted libraries sitting in numerous states of disrepair and turning into quickly outdated with out group or business help. CANfetti represents Scythe’s first step in its dedication to updating and increasing the open-source firmware ecosystem.
“Creating a much more robust CANopen stack at Scythe allowed us to integrate critical components that weren’t previously compatible,” stated Davis Foster, Scythe’s head of {hardware}.
“With CANfetti, we’ve been able to integrate more sophisticated components – like advanced sensors, battery modules, and motor controllers – into M.52, resulting in much better machine performance. By publishing CANfetti, we hope to support more companies that are building exciting, cutting-edge machines of all kinds and promote innovation across the field of robotics at large.”
Learn extra concerning the motivation behind and advantages of CANfetti on the Scythe Robotics weblog and discover CANfetti on GitHub.
Zach Goins, senior autonomy software program engineer at Scythe Robotics, will focus on Scythe’s determination to make use of Rust for software program growth throughout his discuss on the Robotics Summit & Expo known as “Oxidizing Your Software Development: Rust for Robotics.” The discuss will happen on the Boston Convention Center on May 11, 2023, at 2:00 PM.
