This repository contains the code for the PyRoboLearn (PRL) framework: a Python framework for Robot Learning. This framework revolves mainly around 7 axes: simulators, worlds, robots, interfaces, learning tasks (= environment and policy), learning models, and learning algorithms.

Warning: The development of this framework is ongoing, and thus some substantial changes might occur. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Requirements

The framework has been tested with Python 2.7 and Ubuntu 16.04 and 18.04. We also tested parts of it with Python 3.5 on Ubuntu 16.04 and so far so good, but there might be some errors that escaped my attention.

Installation

First download the pip Python package manager and create a virtual environment for Python as described in the following link: https://packaging.python.org/guides/installing-using-pip-and-virtualenv/ On Ubuntu, you can install pip and virtualenv by typing in the terminal:

In Python 2.7:

sudo apt install python-pip
sudo pip install virtualenv

In Python 3.5:

sudo apt install python3-pip
sudo pip install virtualenv

You can then create the virtual environment by typing:

virtualenv -p /usr/bin/python<version> <virtualenv_name>
# activate the virtual environment
source <virtualenv_name>/bin/activate

where <version> is the python version you want to use (select between 2.7 or 3.5), and <virtualenv_name> is a name of your choice for the virtual environment. For instance, it can be py2.7 or py3.5.

To deactivate the virtual environment, just type:

deactivate

clone this repository and install the requirements by executing the setup.py

In Python 2.7:

git clone https://github.com/robotlearn/pyrobolearn
cd pyrobolearn
pip install numpy cython
pip install http://github.com/cornellius-gp/gpytorch/archive/alpha.zip  # this is for Python 2.7
pip install -e .  # this will install pyrobolearn as well as the required packages (so no need for: pip install -r requirements.txt)

In Python 3.5:

git clone https://github.com/robotlearn/pyrobolearn
cd pyrobolearn
pip install numpy cython
pip install gpytorch  # this is for Python 3.5
pip install -e .  # this will install pyrobolearn as well as the required packages (so no need for: pip install -r requirements.txt)

Depending on your computer configuration and the python version you use, you might need to install also the following packages through apt-get:

sudo apt install python-tk  # if python 2.7
sudo apt install python3-tk  # if python 3.5

How to use it?

Check the README.md file in the examples folder.

Citation

@misc{delhaisse2019pyrobolearn,
    author = {Delhaisse, Brian and Xin, Songyan and Rozo, Leonel, and Caldwell, Darwin},
    title = {PyRoboLearn: A Python Framework for Robot Learning Practitioners},
    howpublished = {\url{https://github.com/robotlearn/pyrobolearn}},
    year=2019,
}

If you use a specific learning model, algorithm, robot, controller, and so on, please cite the corresponding paper. The reference(s) can usually be found in the class documentation (at the end), and sometimes in the README file in the corresponding folder.

Acknowledgements

Currently, we mainly use the PyBullet simulator.

PyBullet, a Python module for physics simulation for games, robotics and machine learning, Erwin Coumans and Yunfei Bai, 2016-2019
references for each robot, model, and others can be found in the corresponding class documentation
Locomotion controllers were provided by Songyan Xin (see pyrobolearn/controllers/locomotion).