Summary
In this chapter, we introduced MATLAB and the Robotics System Toolbox and described how to install the toolbox. The toolbox connects MATLAB software and the Robot Operating System.
Baxter the robot simulator, introduced in Chapter 6, Wobbling Robot Arms Using Joint Control, was used with MATLAB to control the simulated Baxter in Gazebo. Before the simulator could connect with Baxter, it was necessary to install a unique set of ROS messages used to communicate with Baxter as described in the section Installing Baxter messages in MATLAB.
Once the messages are installed, Baxter's limbs can be moved with the Robotics System Toolbox commands and the .m
files listed in the section Running Baxter Simulator and MATLAB. These files are found on the book's website.
For more information about the Robotics System Toolbox, see the excellent webinar Developing Robotics Applications with MATLAB, Simulink, and Robotics System Toolbox by Carlos Santacruz-Rosero of MathWorks at the website: