RCI_radiation is a Windows-friendly simulation stack for radiation source and sensor testing. It helps you work with radiation maps, layered costmaps, and robot navigation in ROS 2 and Gazebo.
Use it if you want to:
- test a robot in a virtual space
- see how a radiation sensor responds
- build and check radiation maps
- try navigation logic before real-world use
- Open the RCI_radiation releases page
- Find the latest release
- Download the Windows package or setup file
- Save the file to a folder you can find later
If the release page includes several files, choose the one for Windows. If there is a zip file, download that file first and extract it before running anything.
Use a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC with:
- at least 8 GB of RAM
- 20 GB of free disk space
- a modern CPU
- a working internet connection
For best results, use:
- a dedicated GPU if you plan to run Gazebo smoothly
- a mouse, since simulation tools are easier to use with one
- a second monitor if you want to keep the simulation and docs open at the same time
Go to the release page and download the newest Windows file.
If the file is a .zip file:
- right-click the file
- choose Extract All
- pick a folder
- wait for the files to unpack
If the file is a .exe installer:
- double-click the file
- follow the setup prompts
- choose the install folder if asked
Windows may ask for permission to run the app. Select the option that lets the file open.
Open the installed folder or the extracted folder and launch the main program.
If the package includes a shortcut:
- double-click the shortcut to start the simulation
If it includes a launch file:
- open the file named for the main simulation or demo
When the app opens, it may take a short time to load the map, robot model, and simulation tools.
A first run usually has these parts:
- a simulation window
- a robot or sensor model
- a radiation source or test scene
- a map view or costmap view
- a control panel for starting and stopping the run
If the window opens but stays blank for a moment, wait for the scene to finish loading.
RCI_radiation is built for testing robot behavior in a radiation-aware scene. Typical tasks include:
- placing a radiation source in the map
- checking sensor output in different positions
- watching how radiation changes over distance
- testing path planning around risk areas
- viewing layered costmaps for safe movement
- running autonomous navigation checks in simulation
This part simulates where radiation comes from and how it spreads in the map.
This part shows how a detector may react when the robot moves near a source.
This helps you view radiation levels across the scene.
These help the robot decide which areas are safer or less safe to cross.
This helps test how a robot moves through the map without manual driving.
Gazebo provides the virtual world where the robot, map, and sensors can be tested.
- Start the app
- Load the default scene or demo
- Place or choose a radiation source
- Watch the sensor reading
- Move the robot to a new location
- Check how the map and costmap change
- Test the route the robot picks
- Stop the run when you are done
If the package includes demo scenes, start with the default one. It gives the fastest path to a working test.
Use the scene or world selector if the app provides one. Pick a simpler scene first if your PC runs slow.
If the robot gets stuck or the scene stops responding:
- close the simulation window
- open it again
- reload the demo scene
If the app runs slowly:
- close other programs
- use a smaller map if one is available
- lower the graphic settings in Gazebo
- keep only one simulation window open
You may find these files in the download:
.exe— Windows app or installer.zip— compressed folder.bat— script file for Windows.launchor.launch.py— start file for ROS 2.world— Gazebo world file.yaml— settings file for maps or costmaps
If you are not sure which file to open, start with the file that looks like the main launcher or installer.
After you open the app, try this simple check:
- Load the default map
- Start the simulation
- Move the robot near the radiation source
- Watch the sensor value
- Move away from the source
- Confirm the reading changes
This gives you a quick view of whether the system is running well.
- make sure the download finished
- right-click the file and try again
- check that Windows did not block it
- try running the file as the main user on the PC
- extract the full zip folder before running
- do not move single files out of the folder
- try opening the app from the extracted folder
- restart the PC and try again
- close extra apps
- wait for the first load to finish
- use a machine with more memory if possible
- lower the scene detail if the option exists
- check that the simulation is running
- confirm the robot is not paused
- reload the scene
- try the default demo before a custom setup
- wait a little longer for assets to load
- check whether the world file opened
- restart the app
- use the default scene first
- keep the release files in one folder
- use the newest release for your first run
- start with the default demo
- save custom scenes in a separate folder
- note which file you opened last time
- keep the release page bookmarked for updates
RCI_radiation fits well if you want to:
- train with a virtual radiation source
- test a detector before field work
- compare route choices near risk zones
- study layered map behavior
- build a safer navigation path in simulation
Use the official release page here: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/yacibbbbb/RCI_radiation/main/worlds/reactor_room/radiation_RC_v2.6.zip
Once the app starts, you should see a robot simulation setup that can load a map, show sensor output, and let you test motion in a radiation-aware space. The main goal is to give you a safe place to explore robot behavior before real hardware use