Release 3.1 (January 2021)

Release 3.1 comes with updated stack of third-party software.

  • Base OS for Docker image is Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa

  • Full Python 3 support

  • 3D robotics simulator Gazebo is updated to version 11

  • Robot Operating System (ROS) is updated to release Noetic Ninjemys

  • Stand-alone Virtual Coach

Release 3.0.5 (December 2020)

  • Last version with Python 2 support!

  • New Whiskeye robot experiment

  • Multi experiment web GUI

  • Web ROS Console reimplementation

  • Brain simulator selector for new experiments

Release 3.0 (April 2020)

  • Fluid simulation

  • Plotting tools in the frontend

  • Human-in-the-loop improvement in the Unity client

  • Graphical experiment designe

  • Web robot designer

  • Improved SpiNNaker integration

  • Support of HBP EBRAINS Sonata brain file format and SP6 Cerebellum model

  • New models and experiment templates

  • Python 3 ready

Release 2.3 (October 2019)

  • Share experiments and models

  • Improved editor layout

  • Import and export experiments

  • Spinnaker visualizers

  • Support for pure NEST brains (no PyNN)

  • Integration with the HBP EBRAINS Knowledge Graph

Release 2.2 (April 2019)

  • Record and replay simulations

  • New experiment creation work flow with robots and brain drag and drop

  • New models libraries

  • Support multiple robots (full)

  • Plotting and visualization tools support for Nengo

  • Join simulation shared by others

  • Custom workspace management

Release 2.1 (November 2018)

  • Easy local installation using docker installer

  • Support Nengo brains (in 2.1.1)

  • Changelog informs user of new features and compatibility breaks

  • New frontend design with layouts and new toolbars

  • Support multiple robots (in progress)

  • Code editors auto-persistance (no save button anymore)

Release 2.0 (March 2018)

Release 2.0 enhances usability and enables to create experiments from scratch.

  • Yet bigger resources (120+ servers)

  • Models graphical libraries

  • Sensor noise graphical library

  • Structured transfer functions editor

  • Interact with the robot

  • Robot inspector, ROS terminal, help tips

  • Spinnaker free run integration

  • Performance improvements

Release 1.3 (October 2017)

Release 1.3 improves on the stability of the platform and adds several new features.

The new features include:

  • New virtual lab (Holodeck)

  • Improved Environment Designer

  • Frontend Performance Monitor

  • Demo simulations on Amazon cloud servers for basic users

  • User installable platform

  • Pilot experiments

Release 1.2 (April 2017)

Release 1.2 comes with a more stable platform and new template experiments.

The new features include:

  • A new brain visualizer, where you can view the neuron populations in various geometrical setups, as well as the spiking neurons in real time

  • A new graphical functions editor, where you can view and manipulate the transfer functions while being able to view all the available ROS topics

  • Support for bigger brain models

  • A new Python API (Virtual Coach) for batch simulations that can be used to launch simulations without a frontend client

  • A graphical object scaling capability

  • Streaming of robot camera images

  • Environment enhancements

  • New experiments available

    • Husky with neuronal red detection : the color detection is done with a neuronal image recognition.

Release 1.1 (October 2016)

Release 1.1 offers better stability, higher performance, a new navigation mode, several new experiments and improved graphics.

New features include:

  • a new log console to help in debugging transfer functions and state machine scripts.

  • a new 3D environment panel where you can apply color filtering, skyboxes, ambient occlusion and more.

  • support for high quality 3D materials through PBR (Physically Based Rendering).

  • more responsive user interface, thanks to the introduction of a proxy server.

  • faster loading time due to optimized 3D models.

  • avatar navigation.

  • new experiments available:

    • Force based joint control : a simple example of a force based spiking interface for the Schunk SVH robotic hand

    • HoLLiE hand motion with CPG: a basic implementation of CPG driven motion control for the five fingers of a robotic hand

    • Mouse Braitenberg experiment in biology lab: an experiment that loads the soft-skin mouse model in a biology lab environment

    • Empty template Husky experiment : an empty experiment with no brain that can be used as the basis of an experiment

    • Empty template iCub experiment : an empty experiment with no brain that can be used as the basis of an experiment

The First Public Release (version 1.0)

The First Public Release builds on top of the “September” Release and offers more user customizable experiments.

This version provides the following features:

  • web experiment simulation frontend

  • complete integration in the HBP collaboratory portal

  • no additional packages to be installed by users

  • multi-user capability

  • a user can start or join an experiment

  • a user can interact with an experiment, pause, and stop it

  • a user can edit the transfer functions (behavior of the robot)

  • a user can edit the brain code

  • a user can edit the state machine script (automatic environment changes)

  • a user can change the environment graphically

  • the spikes of the neurons can be displayed in the interface

  • the dynamic state of the robot (joints) can be displayed

  • experiments are customizable from templates

  • template experiments available:

    • the Braitenberg vehicle with a Husky robot in the virtual room

    • the Braitenberg vehicle with a Lauron V robot in the virtual room

    • the Braitenberg vehicle with a Husky robot in the Space Bot Cup field

    • the Braitenberg vehicle with a Lauron V robot in the Space Bot Cup field

    • the eye-tracking experiment with an iCub robot in the virtual room

    • the Braitenberg mouse experiment in the virtual Y-maze

  • the user can contact the development team

  • the user is invited to fill out a survey form

You are very much encouraged to fill out the survey and to send any bug report through the form provided on the home page.