#Toronto #OSCP #MK2 #ROS 2

OSCP Unveils New Open Source Driver for MK2 Inertial Measurement Units

In a significant advancement for the robotics community, OSCPS Motion Sensing Inc., commonly referred to as OSCP, has launched an open source driver designed for its MK2 range of inertial measurement units. The announcement was made simultaneously with their participation as a silver sponsor at the ROSCon Global conference held in Toronto from September 22 to 24, 2026.

Robots operating indoors, particularly in warehouses and tunnels, have long faced challenges due to the absence of GPS signals. In environments where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) coverage is unreliable or entirely absent, such as warehouses, inspection tunnels, greenhouses, and building interiors, navigating remains a complex task. Traditional methods rely heavily on wheel odometry and inertial measurement systems, which often become unreliable when the ground surface changes or wheels begin to slip. This is where the OSCP's innovations aim to fill the gap.

The newly released driver, available on GitHub under the MIT License, aims to connect the MK2 units to the ROS 2 environment seamlessly. It bridges communication via RS-422 or CAN-FD, enabling it to communicate with existing robotic navigation stacks without necessitating extensive modifications or custom coding efforts. This driver includes three key packages: the node itself, a library for decoding COBS and frame definitions, as well as a set of timestamps for the OSCP message types generated by the device’s internal clock. Configuration of the device is handled through a YAML file, with capabilities for querying the configuration, calibrating the stationary bias, zeroing the orientation, and applying magnetometer calibration.

The OSCP MK2 driver is compatible with ROS 2 versions Humble and Jazzy, operating on Ubuntu versions 22.04 and 24.04. Initial trials can be conducted using the MK2M2 module—a compact MEMS device that measures just 40 mm × 40 mm × 25 mm, weighing 75 grams and consuming only 1.2 watts. For more advanced applications, developers can use the MK2E2, which substitutes the Z-axis MEMS gyroscope with a photonic gyroscope while retaining MEMS sensors on the X and Y axes, using the same driver and interfaces as its counterpart.

Kazem Zandi, CEO of OSCP, shared insights on the need for this driver, stating, "The ROS community doesn't require another sensor accompanied by a technical sheet and serial protocol. This tool must publish clean data directly within the environment users are already employing. We developed this driver to eliminate the integration process as a standalone project."

The significance of the photonic option becomes even clearer through practical trials conducted in urban settings. In a recent demonstration in downtown Montreal, the MK2E2 successfully navigated 21 minutes of travel without satellite assistance, relying solely on its gyroscopic capabilities at a measurement frequency of 1Hz. Impressively, it concluded its journey within 5.7 meters of the actual location, compared to the MK2M2, which landed 20.5 meters off the target in identical conditions. Both devices share similar specifications for operational drift, listed at 0.5 degrees per hour. Detailed reports of these tests, including the path and error progression over time, can be accessed at oscp.com/case_studies/photonic-vs-mems-proven-real-roads.

Vibrations present another challenge that the photonic axis addresses effectively. MEMS gyroscopes are susceptible to g-force, leading to bias error increases during prolonged vibrations and accelerated conditions, typical in uneven terrains or mobile platforms. In contrast, a photonic gyroscope lacks a reference mass that might vibrate, making it more stable in these challenging environments. OSCP is currently analyzing the vibration characteristics of its MK2 range and promises to release these results shortly.

For robots that need to operate consistently for long durations without resetting, OSCP has also developed a prototype known as the MK2Z. This unit integrates a high-quality optical gyroscope on the heading axis, promising an impressive precision of 0.005 degrees per hour—approximately two orders of magnitude better than the MEMS gyroscope used in the aforementioned systems. Although the MK2Z is larger and consumes more power at 475 grams and 4.5 watts, it maintains compatibility with existing units in terms of interfaces and communication protocols. Such specifications are particularly beneficial for challenging applications in mining, tunnels, underwater vehicles, and extensive indoor facilities.

Thibaut Gravey, Chief Product Officer, highlighted the premise behind releasing this driver: