Aseba

Automation and robotics are the future, so it’s no wonder that more and more youngsters are interested in this field. Specifically designed for Thymio robots, Aseba is an open-source application that bundles all the tools one needs to program robots and understand the concepts of robotics.

Using an user-friendly scripting language that resembles Matlab, Aseba is designed to work with both real and simulated multi-processor robots. Its size allows it to run on microcontrollers and can be used for educational purposes.

It features an intuitive development environment that is evenly tailored for beginners and more experienced users alike, allowing them to create programs for their Thymio robot.

The programming toolbox includes Aseba Studio, the IDE that makes it possible for robot owners to experiment with text programming. The language it uses is easy to understand thanks to the simple syntax. But while the learning curve might not be so steep, it is recommended for users to take their time going through the documentation and getting an overview of each command, function, keyword, and concept before proceeding.

The IDE offers one-click access to variables, native functions, constants, logs global and local events, and allows program execution. It can set breakpoints and comes with built-in debugging tools. Memory usage is monitored, which can help the programmer focus on efficiency as well.

Alongside the Aseba Studio, the package also includes the Aseba PlayGround, a 3D simulator that allows the programmer to see how his code will be executed. Specific simulation environments can be created with ease.

The Aseba Challenge app is an educational game that users can play to experiment with Aseba scripts and learn more and more with each victory or loss.

For robot aficionados or programmers who would like to try out something new, the Aseba toolbox can be the answer. Nevertheless, its practicality can only be brought to life when writing the programs you create to the memory of a real Thymio robot.