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Project setup

The installation process will be explained for Linux. It is also possible to install on Windows and MacOs (not tested) if the required dependencies have support for those OS.

Note

Please note that if you do not use Linux and you want to use the Taobotics IMUs, you will have to manage its drivers.

The project has been tested in Windows 11 without IMUs, and in Ubuntu 22.04 LTS with Taobotics IMUs.

Dependencies

  • Python version 3.10 or 3.11. In case you want to use recent versions, check the requirements for potential conflicts with the required python modules.
  • Phidget22. For Phidget load cells and encoders.
  • MRPT. To use the pymrpt library for the Taobotics IMUs.

Installation procedure

1. Clone the repository

Clone the force_platform repository:

Clone using the web URL: 

git clone https://github.com/AaronPB/force_platform.git

Clone with SSH: 

git clone git@github.com:AaronPB/force_platform.git

2. Install sensor dependencies

Phidget dependency

For Linux:

curl -fsSL https://www.phidgets.com/downloads/setup_linux | sudo -E bash - &&\
sudo apt-get install -y libphidget22

For Windows or MacOS

MRPT dependency

For more information, refer to the MRPT Documentation

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:joseluisblancoc/mrpt
sudo apt install libmrpt-dev mrpt-apps
sudo apt install python3-pymrpt

Warning

If you are using virtualenv (or any other virtual environment), MRPT cannot be installed by pip. As a temporary solution, set include-system-site-packages = true in your pyvenv.cfg file.

3. Install python required modules

Install the project requirements:

cd force_platform/
pip install -r requirements

Run the project

When all dependencies are installed, try to run the main.py file in the force_platform repository from IDE or a terminal:

cd force_platform/
chmod +x main.py
main.py

If the main GUI shows up, it is done!