An architecture for robotic system integration

An architecture has been developed to provide an object-oriented framework for the integration of multiple robotic subsystems into a single integrated system. By using an object-oriented approach, all subsystems can interface with each other, and still be able to be customized for specific subsystem interface needs. The object-oriented framework allows the communications between subsystems to be hidden from the interface specification itself. Thus, system designers can concentrate on what the subsystems are to do, not how to communicate. This system has been developed for the Environmental Restoration and Waste Management Decontamination and Decommissioning Project at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In this system, multiple subsystems are defined to separate the functional units of the integrated system. For example, a Human-Machine Interface (HMI) subsystem handles the high-level machine coordination and subsystem status display. The HMI also provides status-logging facilities and safety facilities for use by the remaining subsystems. Other subsystems have been developed to provide specific functionality, and many of these can be reused by other projects.