Nvidia, Qualcomm Baked Open Source Robotics Alliance Launches

The Open Source Robotics Foundation, (OSRF), has launched a new initiative to strengthen and support the governance of open-source robotics software projects. 

OSRF said the Open Source Robotics Alliance (OSRA), will also ensure the health of the Robot Operating System (ROS) community for years to come.

OSRF said that involvement across the robotics ecosystem was “crucial” for the initiative’s success.

Inaugural members of the alliance include Nvidia, Qualcomm and Intrinsic, which all voiced their commitment to developing and supporting open-source robotics technologies.

“As an inaugural platinum member of OSRA, we will collaborate to advance open-source robotics throughout the ecosystem by aiding development efforts and providing governance and continuity,” said Gordon Grigor, Nvidia’s vice president of robotics software.

“Qualcomm Technologies is excited to join the OSRA to help drive the development of open-source robotics software and foster the growth of the vibrant ROS Suite developer community,” said Dev Singh, Qualcomm’s vice president of business development.  “Leveraging our longstanding history in on-device AI processing and heterogeneous computing, our comprehensive family of robotics platforms addresses all types of robots to deliver the benefits of AI at the edge.”

At the heart of the alliance is the Technical Governance Committee, which will oversee the activities of various project management committees, technical committees, special interest groups and working groups. 

Nvidia, Intrinsic, and Qualcomm join nine other inaugural members, including Clearpath Robotics, PickNik and Silicon Valley Robotics. Incoming members include Bosch and ROS-Industrial, with several others expected to be announced soon.