Bridging Software and Robotics: The Role of Abstraction in Advancing Robotic Applications

In the evolving landscape of robotics, the challenge of integrating complex software with versatile robotic hardware has led to a critical focus on the concept of abstraction layers. These layers act as intermediaries that simplify and unify the interaction between software developers and robotic systems, ultimately making robotics more accessible and scalable across various industries.

Interview Insights with Simone Kalmakis, VP of Engineering at Viam

Recently, Ryan sat down with Simone Kalmakis, Vice President of Engineering at Viam, a leading robotics software company, to delve into the innovative efforts her team is spearheading. Kalmakis emphasized how their approach in creating abstraction layers is a game-changer for the robotics field.

"By introducing robust abstraction layers," Kalmakis explained, "we're enabling software engineers who may not have extensive robotics knowledge to develop applications that control complex robotic systems with ease. This essentially lowers the barrier for innovation and expands the potential for robotics in everyday and industrial use cases."

From Lobster Traps to Industrial Sanding Robots

The practical applications of these advancements are both varied and impressive. Kalmakis highlighted real-world examples ranging from robotic systems used in monitoring and managing lobster traps off the coast—augmenting marine harvesting efficiency—to highly specialized industrial sanding robots optimizing manufacturing processes. These examples illustrate the versatility enabled by accessible software-robotics integration.

Why Abstraction Matters

The robotics industry traditionally requires a deep understanding of hardware intricacies, control systems, and software. This creates a steep learning curve and limits participation to highly specialized experts. Abstraction layers simplify this by hiding the hardware complexities and presenting developers with standardized interfaces and APIs.

Such abstraction not only accelerates development cycles but also fosters innovation by inviting diverse talents—from software engineers to designers—to contribute to robotics solutions. It also enables easier maintenance and upgrades, as modifications can often be confined to individual layers without widespread system changes.

The Road Ahead

With companies like Viam leading the charge in abstraction and integration, the robotics field is poised for rapid growth and democratization. As accessibility improves, we can expect an expansion in novel robotic applications that extend beyond traditional industrial and research environments into everyday public and commercial spaces.

Kalmakis concluded, "Our mission is to build tools that empower creators to bring new robotic concepts to life, without needing to be robotics experts. This paradigm shift has the potential to transform industries and impact society in meaningful ways."