ros-mcp-server
Connect AI models like Claude & GPT with robots using MCP and ROS. Python-based implementation. Trusted by 800+ developers.
Documentation
ROS MCP Server ๐ง โ๐ค
ROS-MCP-Server connects large language models (such as Claude, GPT, and Gemini) to robots, enabling bidirectional communication with no changes to existing robot source code.
Why ROS-MCP?
- No robot source code changes โ just add the `rosbridge` node to your existing ROS setup.
- True two-way communication โ LLMs can both *control* robots and *observe* everything happening on the Robot.
- Full context โ publish & subscribe to topics, call services & actions, set parameters, read sensor data, and monitor robot state in real time.
- Deep ROS understanding โ guides the LLM to discover available topics, services, actions, and their types (including custom ones) โ enabling it to use them with the right syntax without manual configuration.
- Works with any MCP client โ built on the open MCP standard, supporting Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, Cursor, and more.
- Works across ROS versions โ compatible across ROS 2 (Jazzy, Humble, and others) and ROS 1 distros.
๐ฅ Examples in Action
๐ญ Example - AI Agent diagnosis of Industrial Robot End Effector (Video)
- The MCP server connects Claude to a production industrial robot, with only the technician manuals as reference.
- Claude discovers the robot's custom topic and service types and their syntax on its own.
- From a single prompt to test the gripper, it reads the manuals, runs its own tests, finds an anomaly, and reports the root cause.
๐ค Example - Controlling "Wilson" with natural language (video)
From a single prompt โ *"Grab a Coke from the fridge & go to the living room."* โ Google Gemini uses the MCP server to navigate and manipulate autonomously. Built on ROS 2 with Nav2 (SLAM) for mapping and navigation, and MoveIt to command the manipulator.
๐ Example - Controlling Unitree Go2 in NVIDIA Isaac Sim (video)
The MCP server connects Claude to a simulated Unitree Go2 quadruped in NVIDIA Isaac Sim, interpreting natural language commands to navigate and control the robot.
๐ Getting Started
Follow the installation guide to get started.
ROS-MCP works with Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible client.
๐ More Examples & Tutorials
Browse our examples to see the server in action.
We welcome community PRs with new examples and integrations!
๐ค Contributing
We love contributions of all kinds:
- Bug fixes and documentation updates
- New features (e.g., Action support, permissions)
- Additional examples and tutorials
Check out the contributing guidelines and see issues tagged good first issue to get started.
๐ License
This project is licensed under the Apache License 2.0.
Frequently asked questions
What is ros-mcp-server?
ros-mcp-server is Connect AI models like Claude & GPT with robots using MCP and ROS. Python-based implementation. Trusted by 800+ developers.
How do I install ros-mcp-server?
Open the GitHub repository and follow its README. Most MCP servers are added to your client's MCP config, then called by your agent.
Is ros-mcp-server open source?
Yes โ it is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/lpigeon/ros-mcp-server and has 803 stars.
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