Debugging tools for robotic motion

When the robot execution encountered some error, it is difficult to debug what happened based on the error message alone. To understand the true cause, integrators often need the following information:

The environment at that time, including the detected objects, point cloud, and more

The trajectory of the robot

The robot values along the trajectory: joint values, joint velocity, signal values, etc.


Historically, we have been using trajviz (our in-house developer built it) for visualizing such information. This is a command line tool that requires ssh access. To enable the debugging flow in web UI, we propose implementing a similar tool under playback (WebUI’s diagnosis tool).

The Context

Translate abstract motion telemetry into usable visual debugging tools.

The Objective

Built an integrated motion analysis experience for expert users.

The Outcome

We rolled out this MVP version of trajectory:

-Implement an MVP of trajectory visualization with a timeline and 3D trajectory line showing the robot's pose over time.


-Visualize point clouds for execution verification.


-Enable selection and viewing of diagrams for joint values, velocity, acceleration, signals, and more.


-View commanded trajectory and compare it with actual trajectory.


-Add interactive play, pause, seek controls, and playback speed like video players.

We rolled out this MVP version of trajectory:

-Implement an MVP of trajectory visualization with a timeline and 3D trajectory line showing the robot's pose over time.


-Visualize point clouds for execution verification.


-Enable selection and viewing of diagrams for joint values, velocity, acceleration, signals, and more.


-View commanded trajectory and compare it with actual trajectory.

-Add interactive play, pause, seek controls, and playback speed like
video players.

Robot

Output signals

Final solution

The Competitors

FiveFive major robot trajectory and motion tools:

ROS MoveIt! (RViz Motion Planning Plugin)

ABB RobotStudio

Universal Robots Polyscope Trajectory Editor

NVIDIA Isaac Sim Trajectory Viewer

Vention MachineBuilder Motion Tool

The Competitors

FiveFive major robot trajectory and motion tools:

ROS MoveIt! (RViz Motion Planning Plugin)

ABB RobotStudio

Universal Robots Polyscope Trajectory Editor

NVIDIA Isaac Sim Trajectory Viewer

Vention MachineBuilder Motion Tool

Preliminary findings

© 2026 Mei lin

ColorOS system design

ColorOS system design