YOR - Your Own Robot

This repository contains the codebase for the YOR robot, supporting both high-fidelity MuJoCo simulation and physical robot control via CAN bus.

1. Installation & Setup

1.1 Prerequisites

• OS: Linux (Ubuntu 22.04+ recommended) for physical robot control. macOS/Windows supported for Simulation only.
• Python: Version 3.10 or higher.
• Hardware (Physical only):
  • CANable or compatible USB-to-CAN adapter.
  • AgileX Piper arm(s).
  • SparkFlex/SparkMax motor controllers.

1.2 Cloning the Repository

This repository uses submodules. Clone recursively:

git clone --recursive https://github.com/YOR-robot/YOR.git
cd YOR

If you already cloned without submodules:

git submodule update --init --recursive

1.3 Environment Setup (Recommended: Conda)

For Linux systems with physical robot support, we recommend using conda to manage dependencies, as it provides better control over C++ library versions.

1. Create Conda Environment:

conda create -n yor python=3.10 -y
conda activate yor

2. Install System Dependencies:

conda install -y -c conda-forge pinocchio spdlog catch2 boost pybind11 gxx cxx-compiler

3. Install Build Tools:

pip install scikit-build-core cmake ruckig

4. Install Hardware Drivers (Linux Only):

Install sparkcan_py:

cd sparkcan_py
pip install .
cd ..

Install piperlib (requires setting environment variable):

export PIPERLIB_CONDA_ENV=$CONDA_PREFIX
cd piperlib
pip install -e . --no-build-isolation
cd ..

5. Install Main Robot Package:

pip install -e .

1.4 Environment Setup (Alternative: uv)

For simulation-only or macOS/Windows setups, uv provides a fast, lightweight alternative.

1. Install uv (if not installed):

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

2. Sync Environment:

uv sync

This will automatically create a virtual environment (.venv), install the correct Python version, and sync all dependencies from uv.lock.

3. Activate Environment:

source .venv/bin/activate

Note

The uv method installs only simulation dependencies. Physical robot drivers (sparkcan_py and piperlib) must be installed separately following section 1.3 steps 4-5.

1.5 Verify Installation

Test that all packages import correctly:

python -c "import robot; print('Robot package installed successfully')"

For physical robot setup, also verify:

python -c "import piperlib; import sparkcan_py; print('Hardware drivers installed successfully')"

1.6 Navigation & Mapping Setup (Optional)

For dynamic mapping and navigation (e.g., using robot/zed_pub_node.py or robot/nav/), additional dependencies are required.

1. Install PyTorch (Linux Conda Recommended):

conda install -y pytorch torchvision torchaudio pytorch-cuda=11.8 -c pytorch -c nvidia

(Adjust the CUDA version to match your system based on pytorch.org).

2. Install Navigation Python Packages: You can install all necessary python dependencies using the nav optional group:

pip install -e ".[nav]"

3. Install ZED SDK (for physical cameras): Download and install the ZED SDK for Linux (matching your CUDA version), then install its Python wrapper:

wget -O ZED_SDK_Linux.run https://download.stereolabs.com/zedsdk/4.1/cu118/ubuntu22
chmod +x ZED_SDK_Linux.run
./ZED_SDK_Linux.run -- silent skip_tools
python -m pyzed.sl.get_python_api

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2. Running Simulation (Works on macOS/Linux/Windows)

The simulation uses MuJoCo and does not require hardware drivers.

1. Launch Simulation:

python robot/yor_mujoco.py

This will launch a passive MuJoCo viewer.

2. Control the Robot: In a separate terminal (with the same environment activated), run a teleop script:

python robot/teleop/telestick.py

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3. Running Physical Robot (Linux Only)

1. Automated Setup (Recommended):

Run the following script to set up the CAN interface, launch the robot driver, and start the joystick controller in a tmux session:

./create_windows.sh

2. Manual Setup:

If you prefer to run components individually:

• Hardware Setup: Connect CAN adapter/motors and configure interfaces:

  ./extra/setup.sh

• Launch Robot Driver:

  python robot/yor.py

• Control the Robot: In a separate terminal:

  python robot/teleop/joystick.py

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4. Teleoperation Options

Teleoperation scripts communicate with either Simulation or Physical Robot via commlink (ZeroMQ). Run these in a separate terminal while the robot/sim is running.

Keyboard / Test Controls:

python robot/teleop/telestick.py

Joystick (Gamepad):

python robot/teleop/joystick.py

Oculus / VR Teleop: Requires Oculus controller connected via Bluetooth or link.

# Single arm + base
python robot/teleop/oculus_teleop.py

# Whole body (Base + Arm)
python robot/teleop/oculus_wb_teleop.py

# Bimanual
python robot/teleop/oculus_bimanual_teleop.py

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5. Troubleshooting

"ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'sparkcan_py'"

• You are likely on macOS/Windows or skipped the hardware driver installation. This is expected if you are only running simulation. Physical robot control (robot/yor.py) will not work without this.

"ImportError: ... linux/can.h not found"

• You are trying to install hardware drivers on a non-Linux OS. Use the simulation (robot/yor_mujoco.py) instead.

"CMake Error: Could NOT find Python3 (missing: Python3_NumPy_INCLUDE_DIRS)"

• When installing piperlib, use pip install -e . --no-build-isolation instead of regular pip install .
• Ensure you've set PIPERLIB_CONDA_ENV=$CONDA_PREFIX before installation

"undefined reference to GLIBCXX_3.4.31"

• Install the conda C++ compiler: conda install -y -c conda-forge gxx cxx-compiler
• This ensures the C++ standard library version matches the boost libraries

"ZMQ / RPC Connection Failed"

• Ensure robot/yor.py or robot/yor_mujoco.py is running in another terminal
• Check if port 5557 is blocked or already in use

Import errors after installation

• Verify your environment is activated: conda activate yor or source .venv/bin/activate

• Try reinstalling in editable mode: pip install -e .

• Website: yourownrobot.ai

• Paper: arXiv:2602.11150