NEW INDRO CORTEX, CONTROLLER SIMPLIFY ROBOTIC INTEGRATION AND OPERATION

InDro Cortex is a powerful compute and sensor integrator that can be mounted on any robotic platform. It can transmit data over 5G networks with imperceptible lag and receive instructions from a remote operator. Measuring 11cm x 14cm x 10cm, and weighing a mere 679 grams, Cortex is platform-agnostic and can be used with virtually any robotic framework.

Canada's InDro Robotics has released a new hardware and software combination - InDro Cortex and InDro Controller - specifically built for the rapid integration of ground robots and specialised drones.

InDro Cortex is a powerful compute and sensor integrator that can be mounted on any robotic platform. It can transmit data over 5G networks with imperceptible lag and receive instructions from a remote operator. Measuring 11cm x 14cm x 10cm, and weighing a mere 679 grams, Cortex is platform-agnostic and can be used with virtually any robotic framework.

Multiple I/O and power options greatly simplify sensor integration. Cortex comes preloaded with ROS2 Humble, which contains all the software tools, libraries, drivers, and communication protocols that allow for near-instant integration of any and all sensors. Power supply for sensors is provided by Cortex (which is powered by the platform itself).

The base Cortex comes with a processor capable of 100 TOPS (trillions of operations per second). For higher-demand scenarios, InDro can upgrade that processor.

Cortex runs on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS paired with ROS2, which have become the standard for most robotics companies, R&D organisations and academia. Cortex ships with a 5G modem and long-range antennae, allowing operators tele-operated control with nearly imperceptible lag. It can operate on public or private 5G networks, as well as over WiFi. Several years of intense research have gone into building Cortex - which is now one of InDro's core products.

THE SOFTWARE

While InDro Cortex processes vast quantities of data at high speeds, InDro Controller allows you to see that data and control the robot.

Using a highly secure desktop interface, Controller offers an intuitive dashboard that allows users to carry out operations in three ways: Manually, autonomously with pre-programmed waypoints, and even in GPS-denied environments using LiDAR SLAM or vSLAM.

With multiple sensors running on a given robot (or drone), the dashboard allows users to easily move and size windows for data display and location. Waypoints and site-specific tasks - such as zooming in with a PTZ camera on a point of interest - can be easily programmed. Users can save endless missions and set them to run automatically at desired intervals.

The InDro Controller software lives onboard Cortex; you simply type in the URL associated with your robot and the encrypted login display pops up.

The InDro Autonomy software stack is optional.

"Cortex is the result of a tremendous amount of R&D from our Area X.O engineering team," says InDro Robotics Founder and CEO Philip Reece. "It not only greatly simplifies building complex robots, but can vastly enhance robotic platforms ranging from engineering research robots through to military defence platforms. It, along with Controller, will be core InDro products for many years to come."