Back to Learn
Intermediate35 min read3 parts

URDF and TF: Visualize the Navigation Base in RViz

Describe the chassis, LiDAR and camera with URDF/Xacro and validate the TF tree in RViz.

Goal

Describe the chassis, LiDAR and camera with URDF/Xacro and validate the TF tree in RViz.

Procedure

  1. Create base_link, wheel and sensor frames.
  2. Publish robot state and static transforms.
  3. Open RViz and add RobotModel and TF displays.
  4. Correct axes and frame names before running navigation.

Verification

Record the command output, confirm the expected ROS 2 topic or behaviour, and resolve power, TF and device-permission errors before continuing.

// partsUsed in this tutorial

CHASSIS-4WD-001
4WD Encoder Chassis Assembly
Chassis
SENSOR-001
360° 2D Scanning LiDAR
Sensor
CAM-IMX219-001
ROS 2 Wide-Angle Camera Module
Sensor