Before you begin
Starting knowledge
- Basic ROS concepts and coordinate transforms.
- Understand a mobile base and its sensing assumptions.
Equipment & environment
Start in a supported simulated environment. Physical trials need a controlled route and an authorized operator.
No fixed completion time: use the evidence gates below to decide when to advance. Resource links open the botstest directory entry; check its publisher documentation for the exact version and configuration.
Beginner
Understand the navigation chain
Separate mapping, localization, planning and control.
Learn in this order
- Odometry, map and robot frames
- Sensor range, timestamps and calibration
- Static maps and localization assumptions
Put it into practice
- Run a documented navigation simulation and inspect frames.
- Create a small map and record where the robot thinks it is.
A map, frame diagram and localization observation log.
Ready for the next step when…
Resources for this stage
Study navigation components, maps, localization, behavior orchestration and recovery in the matching release.
Build a simulated environment and test robot interfaces before moving to a physical setup.
Explore a compact mobile learning platform with a documented development ecosystem.
Intermediate
Evaluate routes and recovery
Make route completion measurable under representative changes.
Learn in this order
- Global routes versus local obstacle handling
- Costmaps, clearance and goal tolerance
- Recovery states and blocked destinations
Put it into practice
- Test fixed routes with different starting poses and obstacle placements.
- Record a blocked path and verify a bounded recovery or escalation.
A route test matrix and recovery behavior log.
Ready for the next step when…
Resources for this stage
Study navigation components, maps, localization, behavior orchestration and recovery in the matching release.
Investigate mapping and localization workflows, recording sensor and calibration assumptions.
Inspect recorded robot signals and build views that expose timing and system failures.
Professional
Plan site transfer and maintenance
Connect a navigation stack to the operating environment.
Learn in this order
- Map updates, site changes and calibration drift
- Fleet traffic, charging and network constraints
- Release acceptance and maintenance ownership
Put it into practice
- Survey a representative site route and compare it with simulation assumptions.
- Prepare regression tests for map changes and software updates.
A site-readiness dossier and navigation regression suite.
Ready for the next step when…
Resources for this stage
Compare a mobile research platform against payload, terrain, sensing and integration needs.
Compare a ROS-oriented mobile platform with the interfaces and sensing required for the task.
Study navigation components, maps, localization, behavior orchestration and recovery in the matching release.
Common pitfalls
- Assuming a visually good map guarantees localization.
- Tuning for an empty environment and ignoring operating traffic.
Where to go next
Extend to warehouse or field deployment only when route exceptions and maintenance ownership are explicit.
Explore other build paths →