Module 2: Gazebo/Unity Simulation
Duration: ~4 weeks (22 lessons) | Proficiency: A2 → B1 | Hardware: Tier 1 (Cloud)
Welcome to Module 2! You've mastered ROS 2 fundamentals in Module 1. Now you'll learn to simulate robots before deploying to physical hardware—the industry standard for professional robotics development.
What You'll Learn
By completing this module, you will be able to:
- Explain why simulation precedes physical deployment in professional robotics
- Create robot models using URDF (Unified Robot Description Format)
- Build simulation worlds with physics using SDF
- Configure sensors (camera, LIDAR, IMU) on simulated robots
- Connect Gazebo simulations to ROS 2 using ros_gz_bridge
- Complete a capstone project integrating all skills
Prerequisites
- Module 1: ROS 2 Foundations (all 7 chapters)
- Basic XML: Understanding of tags, attributes, nesting
- Command Line: Comfortable with terminal operations
Hardware Requirements
| Tier | Equipment | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Browser + Cloud | Yes (all content works here) |
| Tier 2 | Local GPU | Optional (faster iteration) |
Cloud Path: All content works via TheConstruct cloud environment. No local installation required.
Chapter Overview
Chapter 8: Why Simulate?
3 lessons | Layer L1 | Proficiency A2
Understand the simulation-first philosophy and Gazebo's architecture.
Chapter 9: Robot Description Formats
4 lessons | Layer L1→L2 | Proficiency A2
Create robot models using URDF with links, joints, and physical properties.
- 9.1 Understanding URDF
- 9.2 Building Your First Robot
- 9.3 Adding Physical Properties
- 9.4 URDF with AI
Chapter 10: Building Simulation Worlds
4 lessons | Layer L1→L2 | Proficiency A2→B1
Design simulation environments with ground, obstacles, and physics.
- 10.1 SDF World Basics
- 10.2 Adding Models from Fuel
- 10.3 Physics Configuration
- 10.4 World Building with AI
Chapter 11: Sensors in Simulation
4 lessons | Layer L1→L2 | Proficiency B1
Add cameras, LIDAR, and IMU sensors to your robots.
- 11.1 Camera Simulation
- 11.2 LIDAR Simulation
- 11.3 IMU and Contact Sensors
- 11.4 Sensor Debugging and Visualization
Chapter 12: ROS 2 + Gazebo Integration
4 lessons | Layer L2→L3 | Proficiency B1
Connect Gazebo to ROS 2 for closed-loop control.
- 12.1 The ros_gz Bridge
- 12.2 Spawning Robots from ROS 2
- 12.3 Closed-Loop Control
- 12.4 Creating ros_gz Skills
Chapter 13: Module 2 Capstone
3 lessons | Layer L4 | Proficiency B1
Demonstrate integrated learning with a complete simulation project.
- 13.1 Capstone Specification
- 13.2 Building the Simulation
- 13.3 Testing, Validation, and Sim-to-Real Preview
Learning Progression
Chapter 8 (L1): Understand WHY to simulate
↓
Chapter 9 (L1→L2): Create WHAT you simulate (robots)
↓
Chapter 10 (L1→L2): Build WHERE you simulate (worlds)
↓
Chapter 11 (L1→L2): Add HOW robots perceive (sensors)
↓
Chapter 12 (L2→L3): Connect to ROS 2 for control
↓
Chapter 13 (L4): Integrate everything in capstone
Skills You'll Create
By completing this module, you'll have 4 reusable skills:
- urdf-robot-model: Create robot descriptions with proper physics
- gazebo-world-builder: Design simulation environments
- sensor-simulation: Configure cameras, LIDAR, IMU
- ros2-gazebo-bridge: Connect Gazebo to ROS 2
What's Next
After completing Module 2, you're ready for:
- Module 3: NVIDIA Isaac Sim — AI-powered simulation with domain randomization
- Module 4: VLA/Embodied AI — Vision-language-action models for robot control
Ready to begin? Start with Chapter 8: Why Simulate?