Gazebo
Gazebo is an open-source platform for realistic simulation of robots, sensors and engineering environments. It is used worldwide in research, education and industrial development and is one of the most important simulation tools in the ROS ecosystem (Robot Operating System).
This tool demonstrates key Gazebo functions in a browser-based 3D environment. Users can control virtual robots, simulate sensors and analyse the behaviour of robot systems under realistic conditions – without physical hardware.
What is Gazebo?
Gazebo enables the creation of virtual worlds with realistic physics, lighting and sensor simulation. Developers can test robots and control software before they are used on real machines. This shortens development times, reduces risks and validates functions already in an early project phase.
Key Gazebo functions
- Physics simulation with collision detection and motion dynamics
- Simulation of joints, motors and forces
- Support for physics engines such as ODE, Bullet and DART
- 3D visualisation of robots and environments
- Cameras, LiDAR, IMU, GPS and depth sensors
- Real-time display via modern WebGL technology
- Import and use of complex robot models
- Support for single- and multi-robot systems
ROS and ROS 2 integration
Gazebo is often used together with ROS and ROS 2. Robot models can be integrated via URDF or SDF. Control software communicates with simulated sensors and actuators in the same way as with real hardware. This makes it possible to develop and test navigation, control and automation tasks efficiently.
The combination of Gazebo and ROS enables modern development processes with simulation, automated tests and continuous integration for robotics projects.
Sensor simulation
A particular focus of Gazebo is the simulation of real sensor systems. Developers can generate and evaluate data from cameras, LiDAR systems, depth sensors, GPS receivers and inertial sensors. This enables the development of algorithms for navigation, object detection, SLAM and autonomous systems.
Typical applications
- Mobile robots and autonomous vehicles
- Navigation and SLAM development
- Industrial robots and automation
- Automated guided vehicles (AGV/AMR)
- Research and higher education
- Artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning
- Human–robot interaction
- Virtual commissioning of robot systems
Gazebo Classic and modern Gazebo
The original version became known as Gazebo Classic. The current generation is based on a modular architecture and is actively developed. Modern Gazebo versions offer improved performance, more flexible extensions and closer integration with ROS 2.
Benefits of simulation before hardware use
- Reduction of development and test costs
- Early error detection without risk to real plants
- Fast validation of new algorithms
- Repeatable test conditions
- Parallel development of software and hardware
- Scalable tests with multiple robots
How does this tool work?
- Select a virtual environment
- Configure the robot model and sensors
- Set the physics engine
- Start the simulation
- Observe robotics data in real time
- Analyse camera, LiDAR and sensor data
- Adjust parameters and test different scenarios
This online tool teaches the basic concepts of robot simulation with Gazebo and shows how virtual test environments can be used to develop modern robotics and automation systems.