RAFCON (RMC advanced flow control) is a software tool that allows for visual programming of hierarchical state machines, using a feature-rich graphical user interface (GUI). It is programmed in Python, which is an interpreted language that relieves one from compiling and makes it possible to alter a state machine, even while it is running. Python eases the integration of heterogeneous components of a robotic system written in different languages. The novel visualization of hierarchical state machines together with sophisticated debugging mechanisms permit fast prototyping and intuitive task development with closed loop system tests, without the need of deep programming skills. The architecture enables the collaboration in a team on a single state machine. We proved all this during the SpaceBotCamp competition.
Core
The core of RAFCON, its state machine concept, is separated from the GUI. Its API can be used for the programmatic creation of state machines. These state machines can be hierarchically organized and allow for concurrency. With libraries, state machines can be reused in other task flows. The data flow is explicitly defined using data ports and their interconnections. Also, the execution is flexible: (back-)stepping, pausing, jumping and more is possible.
GUI
The RAFCON GUI allows to fully create and modify state machines. This is a big advantage to SMACH, for example. The modification history enables you to go back in time if errors were made. Furthermore, the user interface can be used to debug a state machine e.g. by using the execution history and the logging view. The graphical editor shows nested states smaller than their parents. Thus, unimportant details are hidden but can be accessed anytime by intuitive navigation mechanisms like zooming and panning.
Open source
We plan to release RAFCON as open source software on GitHub. Currently, we are trying to fix the most critical issues, improve the documentation and think about the right license.