The Mythical Non-Roboticist: Debunking the Idea of Simplifying Robotics Programming #
Key Takeaways:
- Simplifying robotics programming for "non-roboticists" is a flawed idea. While it's tempting to make it easier for everyone to program robots, the complexity of robots interacting with the real world cannot be easily abstracted away.
- There are two types of complexity in robotics:
- Intrinsic Complexity: The inherent difficulty of robots operating in a complex, unpredictable world.
- Stupid BS Complexity: Unnecessary complications arising from poorly designed tools, hardware limitations, and software quirks.
- Don't design for amorphous groups. Define your target users specifically and ensure they're not just a vague concept.
- Focusing on simplification at the expense of functionality can backfire. Overly simplistic APIs often fail to handle the nuanced requirements of real-world applications, leading to frustration and workarounds.
- Robotics is not inherently magical or exclusive. While experience is valuable, it's not about special skills, and anyone with the right motivation can learn about robotics.
- Instead of trying to make everything simple, focus on reducing "stupid BS complexity." Design powerful and flexible tools with good defaults, minimizing unnecessary hurdles.
Top Quotes:
"The idea goes something like this: Programming robots is hard. And there are some people with really arcane skills and PhDs who are really expensive and seem to be required for some reason. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do robotics without them? ... What if everyone could do robotics? That would be great, right? We should make a software framework so that non-roboticists can program robots."
"You can’t paper over intrinsic complexity with simple APIs because if your APIs are simple they can’t cover the complexity of the problem."
"Design your APIs for someone as smart as you, but less tolerant of stupid BS."
Full Summary:
The article addresses a common misconception in robotics: the idea of creating easy-to-use tools that allow "non-roboticists" to program robots. The author argues that this idea is fundamentally flawed because it ignores the inherent complexities of real-world robotics.
He explains that robotics deals with two types of complexity: intrinsic complexity stemming from the unpredictable nature of the physical world, and "stupid BS complexity" caused by poorly designed tools and software. Attempting to simplify the interface often results in overly simplistic APIs that fail to handle the nuances of real-world applications.
Instead of focusing solely on simplification, the author proposes a different approach: design for users with the same level of intelligence as the tool developers but with less tolerance for unnecessary complexity. This means creating powerful and flexible tools that minimize "stupid BS complexity" while providing good defaults.
The author emphasizes that robotics is not about arcane skills or exclusivity. Anyone with the right motivation can learn the necessary concepts and contribute to the field. Focusing on practical solutions to real challenges, rather than abstract simplification, is key to progress in robotics.