kdFlex is a powerful general purpose simulation development toolkit (SDK) for the modeling and simulation of rigid and flexible multibody dynamics. It supports system nonlinear dynamics of coupled rigid and flexible multibody systems with general and time-varying topologies. kdFlex can be used for analysis, real-time closed-loop simulations, within hardware-in-the-loop testbeds, and embedded within control and autonomy stacks for real-time mechanism modeling. A rich and modern C++ and Python API allows users to adapt and tailor kdFlex to a broad spectrum of dynamics needs.

kdFlex is based upon the ground-breaking Spatial Operator Algebra (SOA) system dynamics framework that provides methods for exploiting and manipulating the underlying structure of the dynamics to develop robust and fast recursive solution techniques.  The SOA based solutions are optimal, broad and can seamlessly accommodate run-time changes to the multibody structure. The use of a “minimal coordinate” approach significantly reduces the size of the dynamics models, enabling the use of standard and simpler solvers.
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Current multibody modeling paradigms demand a choice between speed and fidelity. With kdFlex, you can get both! By combining speed, high fidelity, versatility, a rich API, modern software engineering methods, and comprehensive capabilities, kDFlex offers a one-stop solution for robotics, aerospace, closed loop control, autonomy, loads and structures, vehicles, heavy machinery, protein folding dynamics and more applications. kdFlex’s multi-domain, multi-discipline and multi-project approach has proven to overcome the pitfalls of expensive dynamics simulation solutions within enterprises.