Category: Engineering & Science Tools
Purpose: Robotics design, simulation, control, automation, and deployment in industries such as manufacturing, research, healthcare, and education.
1. Robotics Simulation & Development Platforms
| Tool | Category | Key Features | Pricing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROS (Robot Operating System) | Open-Source Robotics Framework | Modular design, sensor integration, control, simulation | Free (Open Source) | ros.org |
| Webots | Robot Simulation Software | Open-source, physics simulation, supports ROS, MATLAB/Simulink | Free (Open Source), Paid Pro Support | cyberbotics.com |
| Gazebo | Robotics Simulation | Advanced 3D simulation, physics engine, ROS integration | Free (Open Source) | gazebosim.org |
| V-REP (CoppeliaSim) | Robotics Simulation | 3D robotics simulator, versatile API support (C++, Python, Lua) | Free (Edu), Paid Pro starts at €490 | coppeliarobotics.com |
| MATLAB Robotics Toolbox | Robotics Simulation & Control | Kinematics, dynamics, path planning, ROS toolbox integration | Starts at $915 (academic) | mathworks.com |
| Microsoft AirSim | Drone & Car Simulation | Open-source, AI research, drone simulation, autonomous vehicles | Free (Open Source) | github.com/microsoft/AirSim |
| NVIDIA Isaac Sim | AI Robotics Simulation | GPU-accelerated, synthetic data generation, reinforcement learning | Free (Developer), Paid Enterprise | developer.nvidia.com |
| OpenRAVE | Motion Planning Framework | Planning algorithms, kinematics, collision detection | Free (Open Source) | openrave.org |
| Choreonoid | Robotics Software Framework | Robot simulation, manipulation, dynamics, plugin-based system | Free (Open Source) | choreonoid.org |
| Simulink Robotics | Simulation & Model-Based Design | Visual programming for robotic control, supports ROS and hardware-in-the-loop | Starts at $2,150 (academic) | mathworks.com |
2. Industrial Automation Software & Platforms
| Tool | Category | Key Features | Pricing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siemens TIA Portal | Industrial Automation | PLC programming, HMI, SCADA integration | Custom Pricing | new.siemens.com |
| Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 | Industrial Control Systems | PLC and motion control programming, diagnostics, analytics | Custom Pricing | rockwellautomation.com |
| Mitsubishi GX Works | PLC Programming | Automation for Mitsubishi controllers, easy-to-use GUI | Custom Pricing | mitsubishielectric.com |
| Omron Sysmac Studio | Automation Platform | Machine automation control, safety, motion, vision systems | Custom Pricing | industrial.omron.eu |
| ABB RobotStudio | Offline Programming & Simulation | Robot programming, virtual commissioning, digital twin | Free (Basic), Paid Advanced | new.abb.com |
| KUKA Sim Pro | Robotic Simulation & Planning | Offline robot programming, 3D simulation for KUKA robots | Custom Pricing | kuka.com |
| FANUC ROBOGUIDE | Robot Simulation Software | 3D robot simulation, offline programming for FANUC robots | Starts around $1,000 | fanucamerica.com |
| Schneider Electric EcoStruxure | Industrial Automation Platform | PLC, SCADA, energy management, machine learning | Custom Pricing | se.com |
| Ignition by Inductive Automation | SCADA & IIoT Platform | HMI/SCADA, IIoT, web-based deployment, cross-platform | Free (Maker Edition), Paid Pro Starts ~$10k | inductiveautomation.com |
| B&R Automation Studio | Integrated Engineering Suite | Unified project engineering for PLC, HMI, safety, motion | Custom Pricing | br-automation.com |
3. Hardware & Robotics Prototyping Platforms
| Tool | Category | Key Features | Pricing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arduino | Microcontroller Platform | Open-source, easy-to-use hardware and software for prototyping | Starter Kits from $20+ | arduino.cc |
| Raspberry Pi | Single Board Computer (SBC) | Versatile, Linux-based SBC for robotics and IoT | Starts at $35+ | raspberrypi.org |
| NVIDIA Jetson | AI Edge Computing | GPU-powered edge AI hardware for robotics and vision | Starts at $59 (Nano), higher models available | developer.nvidia.com |
| BeagleBone Black | SBC for Embedded Systems | ARM-based SBC, industrial-grade applications | Starts at $60 | beagleboard.org |
| ESP32 | Microcontroller with Wi-Fi & BT | IoT, robotics, real-time applications, low power | Starts at $6 | espressif.com |
| Robotis OpenCM9.04 | Robotics Controller Board | Supports Dynamixel motors, integrated motion libraries | Starts at $30 | robotis.us |
| Tinkerforge | Modular Hardware Components | Building blocks for robotics, sensors, actuators, modularity | Kits start at €50+ | tinkerforge.com |
| Pololu Robotics Kits | Robotic Components & Kits | Motors, sensors, controllers for robotic projects | Prices vary by product | pololu.com |
| Phidgets | Plug-and-play Sensors & Actuators | USB & network interfaces, quick prototyping for automation | Prices start at $30+ | phidgets.com |
| LEGO Mindstorms | Educational Robotics Kit | Easy-to-use, programmable, ideal for education and prototyping | Kits start at $350+ | lego.com |
4. Mobile Robot & Drone Platforms
| Tool | Category | Key Features | Pricing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TurtleBot | Mobile Robot Development | ROS integration, navigation, mapping, SLAM | Starts at $1,000+ | turtlebot.com |
| Clearpath Robotics | Autonomous Mobile Robots | Research robots for indoor/outdoor navigation, ROS support | Starts ~$20,000+ | clearpathrobotics.com |
| DJI Matrice Series | Industrial Drones | Aerial mapping, LiDAR, thermal imaging, automation | Starts ~$5,000+ | dji.com |
| Parrot Anafi AI | Drone with AI Processing | Onboard AI processing, 4G connection, autonomous flight | Starts ~$4,500+ | parrot.com |
| Boston Dynamics Spot | Autonomous Legged Robot | Autonomous navigation, payload options, industry automation | Starts ~$74,500+ | bostondynamics.com |
| Roboteq | Motor Controllers | Autonomous robots, differential drives, AGVs, UGVs | Starts ~$400+ | roboteq.com |
| Unitree Robotics A1 | Quadruped Robot | Agile motion, autonomous navigation, real-time control | Starts ~$12,000+ | unitree.com |
| RoboMaster EP Core | Educational Robot | Programmable platform for competitions, ROS support | Starts ~$1,500+ | robomaster.com |
| Navio2 | Autopilot for Raspberry Pi | UAV control, GPS, IMU, for drones and rovers | Starts ~$168 | emlid.com |
| e-puck2 | Mobile Research Robot | Compact robot for swarm robotics, education, research | Starts ~$1,500+ | gctronic.com |
