PlotJuggler

Fast time-series visualization tool for ROS topics, rosbags, and robot debugging

License

MPL-2.0

Overview

PlotJuggler is a time-series visualization tool for robotics developers. It streams data in real time from ROS 1 and ROS 2 topics and imports rosbags, CSV, JSON and other log files into time-series, XY and scatter plots. Built-in data transformations, synchronized cursors and a plugin system for custom data sources help with robot debugging and analysis.

PlotJuggler is a powerful time-series data visualization tool designed for robotics developers. It excels at visualizing and analyzing robot sensor data, state variables, and debugging information.

Key features include: - Real-time streaming from ROS 1/2 topics - Import from rosbags, CSV, JSON, and more - Multiple plot types (time series, XY, scatter) - Custom data transformations and math operations - Split view and synchronized cursors - Export to various formats - Plugin system for custom data sources - Fast rendering even with large datasets

PlotJuggler is an essential tool for robot debugging, performance analysis, and understanding robot behavior over time.

Why it matters

PlotJuggler has become the essential debugging tool for ROS developers. Its ability to visualize any time-series data in real-time — from joint angles to sensor readings — makes it indispensable for understanding robot behavior and diagnosing issues quickly.

Problem it solves

Understanding robot behavior requires visualizing dozens of signals simultaneously. PlotJuggler provides fast, intuitive time-series visualization that lets developers see exactly what their robot is doing — and quickly find what went wrong.

Key takeaways

• Real-time time-series visualization for ROS 1 and ROS 2 topics
• Supports log files, CSV, MCAP, and custom data sources
• Drag-and-drop interface for rapid data exploration
• Built-in data transformations and mathematical operations
• Plugin system for custom data sources and transformations

Who it is for

• ROS developers debugging robot behavior
• Control engineers tuning robot controllers
• Researchers analyzing experiment data
• Teams monitoring robot sensor and actuator signals

Limitations

• Best suited for 1D time-series — 3D visualization is better in RViz
• Plugin ecosystem varies in quality and maintenance
• Large log files can strain memory on modest hardware
• Learning curve for advanced features like custom transformations