Gazebo: A useful open-source robotics simulator for Linux
Just over 4 years ago, we dedicated a timely publication to a fabulous open source software for robotics called ROS, which we described as an ideal Robot Operating System that offers a useful and flexible framework for writing efficient and effective software for robots. Furthermore, in general, it was a set of tools, libraries, and conventions whose objective is to simplify the task of creating complex and robust robotic behavior on a wide variety of robotic platforms. We also mentioned at that time that it has associated projects such as Other important and well-known ones such as Gazebo, moveit, OpenCV, Point Cloud Library (PCL) y Open Robotics. So, this time, we'll dedicate this post to learning a little more specifically about the project and software called Gazebo.
And if you have never heard of it, it is worth highlighting from the outset and in summary, that it is nothing more than A software that offers an open source simulator for robotics that stands out for offering an innovative approach for simulation using a Complete set of development libraries and cloud services that facilitate simulationSo, if industrial, scientific, or educational robotics is your thing, you should definitely check out, try, and take advantage of this brilliant and accessible open-source project.
ROS: Operating System for Robots - An open source framework
But, before we start discussing everything important about this useful open source robotics simulator available for Linux called Gazebo», we recommend you explore and read our previous and most recent related post With the previous software called ROS, at the end of it:
Gazebo: A useful open-source robotics simulator for Linux
What is Gazebo?
According to his Official websiteThis software development called Gazebo is briefly described as follows:
gazebo (formerly known as Ignition) is an open-source robotics simulator maintained by Open Robotics. It offers users access to high-fidelity physics, rendering, and sensor models. It also provides users and developers with multiple access points to simulation, including a graphical user interface, plugins, asynchronous message passing, and services. Finally, it offers an innovative approach to simulation with a comprehensive set of development library tools and cloud services that facilitate simulation. This enables, for example, rapid iteration of new physical designs in realistic environments with high-fidelity sensor flows. This facilitates the execution of control strategies under safe conditions and simulation in continuous integration tests.
Furthermore, it is important to highlight that, today and according to its official GitHub repository:
There are two main versions of Gazebo: Gazebo Classic and Gazebo (formerly Ignition). Gazebo Classic versions use numbers to track versions, while Gazebo uses lettered version names (e.g., Fortress, Garden, etc.). Consequently, rWe recommend that new Gazebo users start with the latest current version, Gazebo Jetty, dated September 30, 2025. Since, the latest version of Gazebo Classic in version 11, dated January 30, 2020.
And between his most outstanding features Some of them stand out:
- Distributed simulationGazebo supports the use of multiple servers to improve performance. Computing is optimally distributed across multiple servers.
- Dynamic asset loading: Using spatial information, Gazebo can automatically load and unload simulation assets to dramatically improve performance.
- Tunable performance: Facilitates control of the simulation time step size to run in real time, faster or even slower than real time.
- Multiplatform support: Available for use on Linux, macOS and Windows.
- Cloud Integration: Allows you to view, download, and upload simulation models and worlds to your own cloud-hosted server, located at the URL: app.gazebosim.org
- Integration with ROSGazebo is available in ROS Melodic. This bridge automatically converts between Gazebo Protobuf messages and ROS messages.
- Wide range of noise sensors and models: Monocular cameras, LIDAR, IMU, Contact sensors, altimeters and many more are available and on the way.
- Advanced 3D graphics: Ogre 2.1 is available in Gazebo Rendering, providing access to the latest rendering techniques, improved shadow maps, and more.
- Precise Physics: DART is the default physics engine in Gazebo Physics, giving it a level of precision that surpasses many of the most advanced game engines.
Installation
Following the Official instructions and recommendations for installation on a Linux operating system (Ubuntu), and using its latest stable version available, these are the steps for its installation using directly its repositories compatible with Ubuntu:
Recommended preliminary steps
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install lsb-release gnupg
Installing the Gazebo Jetty Software
sudo curl https://packages.osrfoundation.org/gazebo.gpg --output /usr/share/keyrings/pkgs-osrf-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/pkgs-osrf-archive-keyring.gpg] https://packages.osrfoundation.org/gazebo/ubuntu-stable $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/gazebo-stable.list > /dev/null
echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/pkgs-osrf-archive-keyring.gpg] https://packages.osrfoundation.org/gazebo/ubuntu-prerelease $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/gazebo-prerelease.list > /dev/null
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gz-jetty
After this, all the libraries should be ready to use and the gz-sim application ready to run.
The Gazebo team is pleased to announce the tenth major release of Gazebo, codenamed Jetty. This is a Long Term Support (LTS) release, meaning it will have an extended lifespan, specifically until September 2030. We recommend Gazebo users upgrade to Jetty as their daily version. Announcement of the release of the Jetty version
And finally, it is worth mentioning that it can also be installed using the Snap package and directly installed by compiling its source files. In addition, there is an unofficial web version called Gazebo web which can also be useful for many, and is designed using the Angular framework (Version 10), and requires node 14.x and npm 6.x to work.
Summary
In short, we hope this A useful open-source robotics simulator available for Linux called "Gazebo" that we have introduced or reminded you of today, may be very useful and practical for many, both in their professional and work lives, as well as for their possible scientific and even educational uses. But above all, in this last approach, since, surely because it is free, easy to install and use, It could be very useful as an educational tool to teach both adults and children about robotics. Along with promoting the widespread use of free and open source operating systems like Ubuntu, if you'd like to suggest or recommend any other similar software or package, please leave a comment below so we can consider it for a future publication.
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