The OpenSAINT project required a robust control and animation package that allowed a performer to define repeatable animations, poses, and sound clip groups that could be quickly called up on a portal control surface. After evaluating other systems, we opted for a design that allows us complete freedom of setup and UI.
What It Contains
The SaintOS is a combination of custom software that is designed in a robot agnostic way to be a suitable performance platform for any robot. It has:
- A central Linux based server package to orchestrate control messages and preset boards
- Specially designed firmware images for Teensy, Raspberry PI, and RP2040 based microcontrollers to connect with the server
- A Steam Deck app for handheld control
Each component has robust OTA updating capability. Allowing builders to place microcontrollers within assemblies without concern that they will need to remove them to re-flash. The Steam Deck app, and the server itself allow easy updating through their respective interfaces.
The main communication protocol between the server and its microcontroller nodes is ROS, the Robot Operating System. Using Micro-ROS on the controllers allows them to exchange messages over ethernet with the main server.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about the SaintOS you can visit the SaintOS project page on GitHub.