One of the major barriers to the wider adoption of robotics is the shortage of skilled workers capable of developing or adapting robotic applications. This challenge arises because each robot typically operates with its own proprietary programming language, making it difficult to transfer or reuse existing applications when transitioning to a different robot system. This not only increases the learning curve but also adds time and cost to implementation processes, which can deter businesses from investing in robotic automation.

While the use of the Robot Operating System (ROS) offers a potential solution to this challenge by providing a more standardised framework, it still requires proficiency in high-level programming languages such as C++ or Python. As a result, ROS remains largely inaccessible to non-expert users, who lack the programming expertise needed to fully utilise the system.

To address this, the HARTU project is working to eliminate these barriers by developing a tool called AppManager, which aims to empower both system integrators and end-users by simplifying the process of creating and controlling robotic applications. AppManager includes two main components: AppBuilder, which enables the design of applications, and AppController, which manages their execution. The key benefit of AppManager is that it allows non-experts to build and control robotic applications using a visual interface, greatly reducing the dependency on specialised programming skills.

Since AppManager is based on ROS 2, it ensures compatibility across different robots, allowing applications to be reused with only minimal adjustments, further enhancing flexibility and reducing system downtime when switching robotic platforms.

The core of AppManager is built around Behavior Trees, a structure that provides an intuitive way to implement and visualise application logic. In this system, each node in the behavior tree represents either a basic or high-level robotic action—such as moving, picking, or drilling—and encapsulates the ROS 2 code needed to execute the action.

Through a simple drag-and-drop interface, operators can design and modify these behavior trees to create robotic applications with ease. Furthermore, AppManager supports the development of custom graphical user interfaces (GUI) using Qt, a widely recognised cross-platform framework, allowing operators to tailor the control interface to specific operational needs.

By lowering the technical barriers to robotics integration, the HARTU project is working to make robotics more accessible, flexible, and scalable for industries of all sizes.

Graphical user interface to create the logic of the application using behaviour trees