Amazon unveils cloud-based robotics testing platform for real-world simulation

US e-commerce leader Amazon’s subsidiary Amazon Web Services Inc (AWS) has launched a cloud-based service, AWS RoboMaker, that will facilitate developers to develop, deploy and test robotics applications.

The new service, which uses the widely deployed open source software Robot Operat- ing System (ROS), serves as a platform to help accelerate the time-consuming robotics development process.

“AWS RoboMaker provides an AWS Cloud9-based robotics integrated development environment for application development, robotics simulation to accelerate application testing and fleet management for re- mote application deployment, update, and management,” AWS said in a statement.

The service offers Amazon’s machine learning technologies and analytics that help create a simulation for real world robotics development, such as letting robots perform tedious house chores, distribute inventory in warehouses or inspect pipelines and high-voltage wires in dangerous industrial environments.

“AWS RoboMaker’s robotics simulation makes it easy to set up large-scale and parallel simulations with pre-built worlds, such as indoor rooms, so developers can test their applications on-demand and run multiple simulations in parallel,” said the company.

It added that the service is now available in Northern Virginia and Oregon in the US and Ireland in Europe.