MOAST and USARSim A Combined Framework for the Development and Testing of Autonomous Systems

Published

April 21, 2006

Author(s)

Christopher J. Scrapper Jr, Stephen B. Balakirsky, Elena R. Messina

Abstract

Urban Search and Rescue Simulation (USARSim) is an open source package that provides a high-resolution, physics based simulation of robotic platforms. The package provides models of several common robotic platforms and sensors as well as sample worlds and a socket interface into a commonly used commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) simulation package. Initially introduced to support the development of search and rescue robots, USARSim has proved to be a tool with a broader scope, from robot education to human robot interfaces, including cooperation, and more. During Robocup 2006, a new competition based on USARSim will be held in the context of the urban search and rescue competitions.The Mobility Open Architecture Simulation and Tools (MOAST) is a framework that builds upon the 4-D Real-time Control System (4D/RCS) architecture to analyze the performance of autonomous vehicles and multiagent systems. MOAST provides controlled environments that allow for the transparent transference of data between a matrix of real and virtual components. This framework is glued together through well-defined interfaces and communications protocols, and detailed specifications on individual subsystem input/output (IO). This allows developers to freely swap components and analyze the effect on the overall system by means of comparison to baseline systems with a limited set of functionality. When taken together, the combined USARSim/MOAST system may be used to provide a comprehensive development and testing environment for complex robotic systems.

Proceedings Title

SPIE Defense and Security Symposium| | | SPIE

Conference Dates

April 17-21, 2006

Conference Title

SPIE Defense and Security Symposium

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

autonomous, control system, intelligent systems, RCS, robots, simulation

Citation

Scrapper, C. , Balakirsky, S. and Messina, E. (2006), MOAST and USARSim A Combined Framework for the Development and Testing of Autonomous Systems, SPIE Defense and Security Symposium| | | SPIE, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=824554 (Accessed April 28, 2026)

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