# Webots

> open-source robot simulator

**Wikidata**: [Q1102289](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1102289)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Webots)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/webots

## Summary
Webots is an open-source robot simulator originally developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. Established in 1996, it provides a platform for users to design, simulate, and program robotic systems. The software is distributed under the Apache Software License 2.0, classifying it as free software that users can run, study, change, and distribute.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Open-source robot simulator / Free software.
- **Developer:** Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne.
- **Inception:** 1996.
- **License:** Apache Software License 2.0.
- **Website:** http://www.cyberbotics.com
- **Source Code Repository:** https://github.com/cyberbotics/webots
- **Version History:** Version 8.4.0 was released as of March 9, 2016.
- **Software Class:** Free software (allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it).
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted.

## FAQs
### Q: Is Webots free to use?
A: Yes, Webots is classified as free software distributed under the Apache Software License 2.0. This allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions.

### Q: Who developed Webots?
A: Webots was originally developed by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, having been initially released in 1996.

### Q: Where can the source code for Webots be found?
A: The source code repository is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/cyberbotics/webots. Issues and development tracking are also managed there.

## Why It Matters
Webots plays a significant role in the field of robotics by lowering the barrier to entry for simulation and development. As a free software tool, it democratizes access to high-quality robotics simulation, allowing users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute the software without the financial constraints often associated with proprietary engineering tools. This openness fosters a collaborative environment where researchers, students, and developers can share modifications and improvements, contributing to the broader advancement of robotics technology.

Originating from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne in 1996, Webots has established itself as a mature and reliable tool in the industry. Its longevity and continued development—evidenced by its active source code repository—highlight its relevance in academic and professional settings. By providing a virtual environment for robotics, it solves the critical problem of hardware cost and availability, enabling rapid prototyping and testing of robotic systems that might otherwise be prohibitively expensive or physically dangerous to experiment with in the real world.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** Incepted in 1996, making it a long-standing tool in the robotics simulation field.
- **Open Source Transition:** Explicitly classified as free software with a start time of December 2018, utilizing the permissive Apache Software License 2.0.
- **Academic Origins:** Developed by a prestigious technical institute, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne.
- **Accessibility:** Hosted publicly on GitHub, allowing for community contributions and transparency in issue tracking.

## Body

### Development and History
Webots was created by the **Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne**, with its inception dating back to **1996**. The project has evolved over decades, with historical records indicating the release of version **8.4.0** around March 9, 2016. The software is currently managed and distributed via its official website, Cyberbotics.com.

### Licensing and Usage
The software is designated as **free software**, defined by the ability of users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it. It operates under the **Apache Software License 2.0**. While the software is open-source and free to distribute, it retains a **copyrighted** status.

### Technical Infrastructure
Webots functions as a **robotics simulator**. Its source code is maintained in a repository located at **github.com/cyberbotics/webots**. Users and developers can track issues and bugs via the dedicated issue tracker found on the GitHub repository.

### Data and Identifiers
Webots maintains a presence across various knowledge bases and media repositories. It is listed on Wikidata with a Freebase ID of **/m/03gvmzp**. The software has Wikipedia entries in multiple languages, including **English, Spanish, French, and Azerbaijani**, and maintains a category on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.cyberbotics.com/archive/windows/)