The Erratic Family of Mobile Robotic Platforms

Seeing. Sensing. Adapting.

Mobile Robotic Platforms for Research, Education and Commercial Applications

The ERRATIC platform (from the Latin errare: to wander) is compact, powerful, and capable of carrying a full load of robotics equipment, including an integrated PC, laser rangefinder, pan tilt unit, and stereo camera.

Designed as a versatile, sturdy, and flexible platform on which to add a multitude of sensors, the Erratics are the ideal general-purpose mobile robot platforms for:

Basic Research Researchers in Vision and Robotics use the robot platforms to validate their algorithms.
Education Professors use the mobile robots to generate excitement and hands-on experience in introductory robotics classes.
Commercial Applications Developers prototype their applications using these robotic platforms.

Design Goals of the Erratic Family

Kurt Konolige, co-developer of the Pioneer and AmigoBot, designed the Erratic Family of moble robotic platforms based on his:

Many years of experience teaching an advanced robotics course, CS225B, at the Robot Programming Lab at Stanford University
Participation in DARPA mobile robot projects such as Centibots and Learning And Ground Robots (LAGR)
Contributions to robotic perception and mapping at SRI and Willow Garage

Dr. Konolige designed the Erratic Family to meet these primary goals:

Simplicity. Power. Affordability.

The Right Erratic Platform for Your Application

ERA-BASE

The ERA-BASE is a lean mobile platform with a controller and IR sensors and a wide-open base on which to add your own computer, laser range finder, cameras and other sensors. Capable of carrying a full load of robotics equipment, the ERA-BASE is a highly expandable robotics platform.

ERA-MOBI

The ERA-MOBI is the foundation for customers to create a multitude of intelligent robot forms, from large human assistance humanoids to small object-seeking bots. It is our industrial strength PC-on-Wheels, that supplements the ERA-BASE with a compact, integrated computer with Player/Stage software.

ERA-XTD

The new ERA-XTD offers a fully-load mobile robot platform with a complete set of sensors for the researcher who wants a ready-to-run package. The mobile platform includes an integrated PC, laser rangefinder, sonar ring, pan tilt unit, and STOC stereo camera.

The Erratic family includes the ERA-BASE, the ERA-MOBI, and the ERA-XTD robots. Each platform is designed to suit your specific needs and budget:

1. If you have your own computer

Then the ERA-BASE platform is right for you

2. If you need a computer integrated with Player/Stage software

Then the ERA-MOBI is right for you

3. If you want a fully-loaded mobile robot with computer, software, sensor suit and camera

Then the ERA-XTD is for you

Both the ERA-BASE and ERA-MOBI can be enhanced at the factory with additional sonar sensors, laser range finders, and Videre Design cameras to create a mobile robot customized for your application.