add motion loader

Move GrootLocomotionController and HolosomaLocomotionController into a new
controllers/ subpackage and add the SONIC whole-body controller
(sonic_pipeline.py, sonic_whole_body.py) plus the examples/unitree_g1/sonic.py
standalone script. UnitreeG1 now honors a controller's kp/kd, calls
controller.shutdown() on disconnect, and skips arm publishing for full_body
controllers.

examples/unitree_g1/motion_loader.py

@@ -0,0 +1,174 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Load an SMPL motion clip and expose it in SONIC's encoder format.
+
+SONIC's whole-body tracking mode (``encode_mode == 2``) consumes a flat
+720-vector ``smpl_joints_10frame_step1`` = 10 consecutive frames x 24 SMPL
+joints x 3 (xyz) at 50 Hz.
+
+IMPORTANT - frame convention: the encoder expects each frame's joints with the
+body's *root orientation removed* (per-frame canonical), exactly like the live
+deploy stream's ``smpl_joints_local`` (see ``process_smpl_joints`` in the GEAR
+PICO teleop and ``smpl_joints_multi_future_local`` in training). The reference
+``smpl_filtered`` clips instead store **world-frame** joints (heading retained),
+so feeding them raw makes the robot move but mis-track / never face-forward.
+This loader therefore canonicalizes on load using the clip's per-frame root
+orientation (``pose_aa[:, :3]``):
+
+    A     = Rx(+90deg) * rotvec(pose_aa[:, :3])        # y-up -> z-up root quat
+    local = base120 * A^-1 * joints                    # remove root orient
+
+with ``base120 = quat(0.5,0.5,0.5,0.5)`` (SMPL base rotation). This reproduces
+the deployed transform (verified: per-frame hip-heading std -> 0).
+
+Clip is read from a numpy ``.npz``. Expected keys:
+    smpl_joints : (T, 24, 3) float32  -- world-frame joint positions, 50 fps
+    pose_aa     : (T, 72)    float32  -- SMPL axis-angle (root = [:, :3])
+    transl      : (T, 3)     float32  -- global root translation (optional)
+    fps         : scalar
+
+Example:
+    python examples/unitree_g1/motion_loader.py \
+        --motion examples/unitree_g1/motions/walk_forward.npz
+"""
+
+import argparse
+
+import numpy as np
+
+WINDOW = 10  # frames per encoder window (smpl_joints_10frame_step1)
+N_JOINTS = 24
+JOINT_DIM = 3
+SMPL_OBS_DIM = WINDOW * N_JOINTS * JOINT_DIM  # 720
+
+
+def canonicalize_smpl_joints(smpl_joints: np.ndarray, root_aa: np.ndarray) -> np.ndarray:
+    """Remove per-frame root orientation -> SONIC ``smpl_joints_local`` format.
+
+    Args:
+        smpl_joints: (T, 24, 3) world-frame (z-up) SMPL joint positions.
+        root_aa: (T, 3) SMPL global-orient axis-angle (y-up convention).
+
+    Returns:
+        (T, 24, 3) per-frame root-orientation-removed joints.
+    """
+    from scipy.spatial.transform import Rotation as R
+
+    rx90 = R.from_euler("x", 90, degrees=True)        # smpl_root_ytoz_up
+    base120 = R.from_quat([0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5])       # remove_smpl_base_rot
+    a = rx90 * R.from_rotvec(root_aa)                 # z-up root quat (left-mult)
+    b_inv = base120 * a.inv()                         # inv(remove_smpl_base_rot(a))
+    return np.einsum("tij,tkj->tki", b_inv.as_matrix(), smpl_joints).astype(np.float32)
+
+
+class SmplMotion:
+    """A single SMPL clip with SONIC-format windowing."""
+
+    def __init__(self, path: str, loop: bool = True, canonicalize: bool = True):
+        data = np.load(path)
+        smpl_joints = data["smpl_joints"].astype(np.float32)  # (T, 24, 3)
+        self.pose_aa = data["pose_aa"].astype(np.float32) if "pose_aa" in data.files else None
+        self.transl = data["transl"].astype(np.float32) if "transl" in data.files else None
+        self.fps = float(data["fps"]) if "fps" in data.files else 50.0
+        self.loop = loop
+
+        if smpl_joints.ndim != 3 or smpl_joints.shape[1:] != (N_JOINTS, JOINT_DIM):
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"Expected smpl_joints (T, {N_JOINTS}, {JOINT_DIM}), got {smpl_joints.shape}"
+            )
+
+        # Reference clips store world-frame joints; the encoder wants per-frame
+        # root-orientation-removed joints. Canonicalize when we have the root pose.
+        self.canonicalized = False
+        if canonicalize and self.pose_aa is not None:
+            smpl_joints = canonicalize_smpl_joints(smpl_joints, self.pose_aa[:, :3])
+            self.canonicalized = True
+        self.smpl_joints = smpl_joints
+
+        self.num_frames = self.smpl_joints.shape[0]
+        self._cursor = 0
+
+    def window(self, start: int) -> np.ndarray:
+        """Return the 720-vector for the 10-frame window beginning at ``start``.
+
+        Frames are laid out oldest->newest, joint-major within a frame:
+        [f0_j0_xyz, f0_j1_xyz, ..., f9_j23_xyz].
+        """
+        idx = np.arange(start, start + WINDOW)
+        if self.loop:
+            idx = np.mod(idx, self.num_frames)
+        else:
+            idx = np.clip(idx, 0, self.num_frames - 1)
+        return self.smpl_joints[idx].reshape(-1).astype(np.float32)
+
+    def reset(self):
+        self._cursor = 0
+
+    def step(self) -> np.ndarray:
+        """Advance one frame and return the current 720-vector window."""
+        w = self.window(self._cursor)
+        self._cursor += 1
+        if self.loop:
+            self._cursor %= self.num_frames
+        return w
+
+    @property
+    def done(self) -> bool:
+        return (not self.loop) and (self._cursor + WINDOW >= self.num_frames)
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
+    parser.add_argument("--motion", required=True, help="Path to motion .npz")
+    parser.add_argument("--no-loop", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument("--no-canon", action="store_true",
+                        help="Skip canonicalization (feed raw stored joints)")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    m = SmplMotion(args.motion, loop=not args.no_loop, canonicalize=not args.no_canon)
+    duration = m.num_frames / m.fps
+    print(f"Loaded '{args.motion}'")
+    print(f"  frames={m.num_frames} fps={m.fps:.1f} duration={duration:.1f}s")
+    print(f"  smpl_joints={m.smpl_joints.shape} canonicalized={m.canonicalized} "
+          f"pose_aa={None if m.pose_aa is None else m.pose_aa.shape} "
+          f"transl={None if m.transl is None else m.transl.shape}")
+
+    # Sanity: after canonicalization the per-frame body heading should be fixed.
+    j = m.smpl_joints
+    v = (j[:, 2, :2] - j[:, 1, :2])  # R_hip - L_hip, horizontal
+    a = np.arctan2(v[:, 1], v[:, 0])
+    rlen = np.clip(np.hypot(np.cos(a).mean(), np.sin(a).mean()), 1e-9, 1.0)
+    circ_std = np.degrees(np.sqrt(-2 * np.log(rlen)))
+    print(f"  hip-heading circ-std={circ_std:.1f} deg "
+          f"(~0 => orientation removed; large => world-frame)")
+
+    w0 = m.window(0)
+    print(f"  window(0): shape={w0.shape} (expected {SMPL_OBS_DIM}) "
+          f"min={w0.min():.3f} max={w0.max():.3f}")
+    assert w0.shape == (SMPL_OBS_DIM,), "window must be 720-dim for obs[922:1642]"
+
+    # Simulate a few control ticks.
+    print("  stepping 5 ticks:")
+    for t in range(5):
+        w = m.step()
+        print(f"    t={t} cursor={m._cursor} window_norm={np.linalg.norm(w):.2f}")
+
+    print("OK: motion loads and yields SONIC-format 720-vec windows.")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

examples/unitree_g1/pkl_to_npz.py

@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""Convert a GEAR-SONIC / BONES-SEED ``smpl_filtered`` clip (.pkl) to .npz.
+
+The reference clips are zlib-compressed joblib pickles holding a dict with
+``pose_aa`` (T, 72), ``transl`` (T, 3), ``smpl_joints`` (T, 24, 3), ``fps``.
+``motion_loader.SmplMotion`` consumes the .npz form so the runtime needs no
+joblib dependency. Canonicalization (root-orientation removal) happens at load
+time in ``motion_loader``, so this converter just repackages the raw arrays.
+
+Run this in an environment that has ``joblib`` (e.g. the sonic teleop venv):
+
+    python examples/unitree_g1/pkl_to_npz.py \
+        --pkl sample_data/smpl_filtered/walk_forward_amateur_001__A001.pkl \
+        --out examples/unitree_g1/motions/walk_forward.npz
+"""
+
+import argparse
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import numpy as np
+
+
+def load_pkl(path: str) -> dict:
+    try:
+        import joblib
+
+        return joblib.load(path)
+    except Exception:
+        # joblib clips are zlib-compressed pickles; fall back to manual inflate.
+        import pickle
+        import zlib
+
+        with open(path, "rb") as f:
+            raw = f.read()
+        try:
+            raw = zlib.decompress(raw)
+        except zlib.error:
+            pass
+        return pickle.loads(raw)
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description=__doc__)
+    parser.add_argument("--pkl", required=True, help="Input smpl_filtered .pkl")
+    parser.add_argument("--out", required=True, help="Output .npz path")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    d = load_pkl(args.pkl)
+    if not isinstance(d, dict) or "smpl_joints" not in d:
+        raise ValueError(f"Unexpected pkl structure; keys={list(d) if isinstance(d, dict) else type(d)}")
+
+    smpl_joints = np.asarray(d["smpl_joints"], np.float32)
+    if smpl_joints.ndim != 3 or smpl_joints.shape[1:] != (24, 3):
+        raise ValueError(f"smpl_joints must be (T,24,3), got {smpl_joints.shape}")
+
+    out = {"smpl_joints": smpl_joints, "fps": np.float32(d.get("fps", 50.0))}
+    if "pose_aa" in d:
+        out["pose_aa"] = np.asarray(d["pose_aa"], np.float32)
+    else:
+        print("[warn] no pose_aa -> loader cannot canonicalize (will feed raw)")
+    if "transl" in d:
+        out["transl"] = np.asarray(d["transl"], np.float32)
+
+    Path(args.out).parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    np.savez_compressed(args.out, **out)
+    dur = smpl_joints.shape[0] / float(out["fps"])
+    print(f"Wrote {args.out}")
+    print(f"  frames={smpl_joints.shape[0]} fps={float(out['fps']):.1f} duration={dur:.1f}s "
+          f"keys={sorted(out)}")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

examples/unitree_g1/sonic.py

@@ -0,0 +1,255 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+"""
+SONIC planner with full mode control.
+
+Keyboard controls:
+    N / P      - next / previous motion set
+    1-8        - select mode within current set
+    WASD       - movement direction
+    Q / E      - rotate facing left / right
+    9 / 0      - decrease / increase speed
+    - / =      - decrease / increase height
+    R          - force replan
+    M          - toggle SMPL motion playback <-> locomotion (needs --motion-file)
+    Space      - emergency stop -> IDLE
+    Esc        - quit
+
+Gamepad controls (Unitree wireless controller):
+    Left stick Y  - speed (forward = fast, back = stop)
+    Left stick X  - movement direction (offset from facing)
+    Right stick X - facing direction (incremental rotation)
+    Right stick Y - height (up = tall 0.8m, down = low 0.1m)
+    Buttons       - unused (mode selection is keyboard-only)
+
+For teleop integration use --robot.controller=SonicWholeBodyController instead.
+"""
+
+import argparse
+import faulthandler
+import gc
+import sys
+import time
+
+import numpy as np
+
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.config_unitree_g1 import UnitreeG1Config
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.controllers.sonic_whole_body import SonicRuntime
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.controllers.sonic_pipeline import (
+    CONTROL_DT,
+    DEFAULT_ANGLES,
+    LM,
+    MOTION_SETS,
+    RawKeyboard,
+    compute_kp_kd,
+    drain_keyboard,
+)
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.g1_utils import G1_29_JointIndex
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.unitree_g1 import UnitreeG1
+
+from motion_loader import SmplMotion
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="SONIC planner with keyboard + gamepad control")
+    parser.add_argument("--ip", type=str, default=None,
+                        help="Robot IP for real hardware (e.g. 192.168.123.164). "
+                             "Omit for simulation.")
+    parser.add_argument("--log-csv", action="store_true",
+                        help="Write /tmp/sonic_pose_log.csv (disabled by default for teleop perf)")
+    parser.add_argument("--cpu", action="store_true",
+                        help="Force CPU ONNX Runtime (skip CUDA even if onnxruntime-gpu is installed)")
+    parser.add_argument("--headless", action="store_true",
+                        help="Ignored for sim (stock UnitreeG1 uses hub MuJoCo defaults)")
+    parser.add_argument("--gamepad", action="store_true",
+                        help="Read Unitree wireless gamepad in sim (default: keyboard-only in sim)")
+    parser.add_argument("--keyboard-only", action="store_true",
+                        help="Ignore wireless gamepad (terminal keyboard only)")
+    parser.add_argument("--motion-file", type=str, default=None,
+                        help="Play an SMPL motion clip (.npz) via SONIC whole-body mode "
+                             "(encode_mode=2) instead of locomotion planning.")
+    parser.add_argument("--no-loop", action="store_true",
+                        help="With --motion-file, play once instead of looping")
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    # Surface native crashes (onnxruntime / mujoco) with a real traceback, and
+    # avoid losing buffered diagnostics if the process dies mid-loop.
+    faulthandler.enable()
+    try:
+        sys.stdout.reconfigure(line_buffering=True)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    print("=" * 60)
+    print("SONIC planner - full mode control")
+    print("  N/P  cycle sets | 1-8 select mode | WASD move")
+    print("  Q/E  rotate     | 9/0 speed       | -/= height")
+    print("  R    replan     | Space IDLE       | Esc quit")
+    if args.ip:
+        print(f"  Robot IP: {args.ip}")
+    else:
+        print("  Mode: simulation")
+    print("=" * 60 + "\n")
+
+    cfg = UnitreeG1Config(controller=None)  # full-body SONIC; standalone loop owns publish
+    if args.ip:
+        cfg.is_simulation = False
+        cfg.robot_ip = args.ip
+    else:
+        cfg.is_simulation = True
+        if args.headless:
+            print("[Note] --headless ignored: sim uses stock UnitreeG1 + hub env")
+    robot = UnitreeG1(cfg)
+    robot.connect()
+    kp, kd = compute_kp_kd()
+    robot.kp = kp.copy()
+    robot.kd = kd.copy()
+
+    runtime = SonicRuntime(force_cpu=args.cpu)
+    controller = runtime.controller
+    ms = runtime.ms
+
+    motion = None
+    if args.motion_file:
+        motion = SmplMotion(args.motion_file, loop=not args.no_loop)
+        controller.smpl_motion = motion       # lets 'M' key toggle playback
+        controller.encode_mode = 2            # start in SONIC whole-body SMPL imitation
+        dur = motion.num_frames / motion.fps
+        print(f"\n[Motion] SMPL whole-body playback: {args.motion_file}")
+        print(f"  frames={motion.num_frames} fps={motion.fps:.1f} "
+              f"duration={dur:.1f}s loop={not args.no_loop} encode_mode=2")
+        print("  Press 'M' to toggle SMPL playback <-> locomotion at runtime.")
+
+    runtime.controller.print_input_diagnostics()
+
+    print(f"\nStarting: {MOTION_SETS[0][0]} (default mode: {LM(ms.mode).name})")
+    [print(f"  {i+1}: {m.name}") for i, m in enumerate(MOTION_SETS[0][1])]
+    print("\n[Ready] Click THIS terminal, then W/A/S/D to move. "
+          "1-6 change mode, 9/0 speed, Esc quit.\n", flush=True)
+
+    # Sim hub publishes wireless_remote bytes that can fight terminal WASD.
+    base_joystick = not args.keyboard_only and (args.gamepad or args.ip is not None)
+
+    with RawKeyboard() as kb:
+        try:
+            gc.disable()
+            gc_timer = 0.0
+            robot.reset(CONTROL_DT, DEFAULT_ANGLES)
+            time.sleep(1.0)
+
+            last_status = time.time() - 2.1
+            loop_t = enc_t = dec_t = obs_t = act_t = []
+            slow_n = blend_n = 0
+            stall_src = ""
+            did_blend = False
+            prev_end = time.time()
+            t_start = time.time()
+
+            log_path = "/tmp/sonic_pose_log.csv"
+            jnames = [m.name for m in G1_29_JointIndex]
+            log_ctx = open(log_path, "w") if args.log_csv else None
+            if log_ctx:
+                log_ctx.write("t,step,cursor,ts,blend,mode," +
+                              ",".join(f"q{i}" for i in range(29)) + "," +
+                              ",".join(f"ref{i}" for i in range(29)) + "," +
+                              ",".join(f"act{i}" for i in range(29)) +
+                              ",delta_max,action_norm,token_norm\n")
+
+            try:
+                while not robot._shutdown_event.is_set():
+                    t0 = time.time()
+                    if drain_keyboard(kb, ms, controller):
+                        break
+
+                    obs = robot.get_observation()
+                    t_obs = time.time()
+                    obs_t.append(1000 * (t_obs - t0))
+                    if not obs:
+                        runtime.tick({}, use_joystick=False)
+                        time.sleep(max(0.0, CONTROL_DT - (time.time() - t0)))
+                        continue
+
+                    # SMPL playback only while in whole-body mode; 'M' toggles it.
+                    motion_active = motion is not None and controller.encode_mode == 2
+                    if motion_active:
+                        controller.smpl_joints_10frame_step1 = motion.step()
+                        if motion.done:
+                            print("\n[Motion] clip finished")
+                            break
+
+                    step_before = runtime.step
+                    t_step = time.time()
+                    action = runtime.tick(obs, use_joystick=base_joystick and not motion_active)
+                    step_ms = 1000 * (time.time() - t_step)
+                    do_enc = step_before % 5 == 0
+                    (enc_t if do_enc else dec_t).append(step_ms)
+
+                    t_act = time.time()
+                    robot.send_action(action)
+                    act_t.append(1000 * (time.time() - t_act))
+
+                    if log_ctx and runtime.step % 5 == 0:
+                        t_rel = time.time() - t_start
+                        q_r = np.array([obs.get(f"{n}.q", 0) for n in jnames])
+                        a_v = np.array([action.get(f"{n}.q", 0) for n in jnames])
+                        cur, ts = controller.ref_cursor, controller.motion_timesteps
+                        q_ref = controller.motion_joint_positions[min(cur, ts - 1)] if ts > 0 else np.zeros(29)
+                        log_ctx.write(f"{t_rel:.4f},{runtime.step},{cur},{ts},{int(did_blend)},{ms.mode}," +
+                                      ",".join(f"{v:.6f}" for v in q_r) + "," +
+                                      ",".join(f"{v:.6f}" for v in q_ref) + "," +
+                                      ",".join(f"{v:.6f}" for v in a_v) + "," +
+                                      f"{np.max(np.abs(a_v - q_r)):.6f},"
+                                      f"{np.linalg.norm(a_v):.6f},"
+                                      f"{np.linalg.norm(controller.token):.6f}\n")
+                        did_blend = False
+
+                    now = time.time()
+                    loop_ms = 1000 * (now - t0)
+                    if loop_ms > 50:
+                        stall_src = (f"[STALL] {loop_ms:.0f}ms: "
+                                     f"obs={obs_t[-1]:.0f} step={step_ms:.0f} act={act_t[-1]:.0f}")
+                    if loop_ms > CONTROL_DT * 1500:
+                        slow_n += 1
+
+                    if now - last_status > 2.0:
+                        def _avg(lst):
+                            return sum(lst) / len(lst) if lst else 0
+
+                        hz = 1000 / _avg(loop_t) if _avg(loop_t) else 0
+                        print(f"\r  {ms.status_line()}  step={runtime.step} "
+                              f"ref={controller.ref_cursor}/{controller.motion_timesteps} "
+                              f"loop={_avg(loop_t):.1f}ms(max={max(loop_t, default=0):.1f}) hz={hz:.0f} "
+                              f"enc={_avg(enc_t):.1f} dec={_avg(dec_t):.1f} obs={_avg(obs_t):.1f} "
+                              f"slow={slow_n} blends={blend_n}", end="", flush=True)
+                        if stall_src:
+                            print(f"\n  {stall_src}")
+                            stall_src = ""
+                        last_status = now
+                        loop_t = enc_t = dec_t = obs_t = act_t = []
+                        slow_n = blend_n = 0
+
+                    prev_end = time.time()
+                    gc_timer += CONTROL_DT
+                    if gc_timer >= 10.0:
+                        gc.collect()
+                        gc_timer = 0.0
+                    loop_t.append(loop_ms)
+                    time.sleep(max(0.0, CONTROL_DT - (time.time() - t0)))
+            finally:
+                if log_ctx:
+                    log_ctx.close()
+
+        except KeyboardInterrupt:
+            pass
+        finally:
+            gc.enable()
+            if args.log_csv:
+                print(f"\n[Log] Saved to {log_path}")
+            runtime.shutdown()
+            print("\nStopping...")
+            if robot.is_connected:
+                robot.disconnect()
+            print("Done.")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

src/lerobot/annotations/steerable_pipeline/writer.py

@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ from typing import Any
 import pyarrow as pa
 import pyarrow.parquet as pq
 
+from lerobot.datasets.io_utils import write_table_one_row_group_per_episode
 from lerobot.datasets.language import (
     EVENT_ONLY_STYLES,
     LANGUAGE_EVENTS,
@@ -274,12 +275,11 @@ class LanguageColumnsWriter:
         new_table = self._materialize_table(
             table, per_row_persistent, per_row_events, drop_old=self.drop_existing_subtask_index
         )
-        # Atomic replace: write to a sibling tmp path and rename so a crash
-        # mid-write can't leave a half-written shard that ``pq.read_table``
-        # would then fail to open. ``Path.replace`` is atomic on POSIX +
-        # Windows when source and target sit on the same filesystem.
+        # Re-emit one row group per episode (a bulk pq.write_table would collapse
+        # them into one). Write to a sibling tmp path and atomically rename so a
+        # crash mid-write can't leave a half-written shard.
         tmp_path = path.with_suffix(path.suffix + ".tmp")
-        pq.write_table(new_table, tmp_path)
+        write_table_one_row_group_per_episode(new_table, tmp_path)
         tmp_path.replace(path)
 
     def _materialize_table(

src/lerobot/datasets/aggregate.py

@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ from .feature_utils import features_equal_for_merge, get_hf_features_from_featur
 from .io_utils import (
     get_file_size_in_mb,
     get_parquet_file_size_in_mb,
+    to_parquet_one_row_group_per_episode,
     to_parquet_with_hf_images,
     write_info,
     write_stats,
@@ -551,6 +552,7 @@ def aggregate_data(src_meta, dst_meta, data_idx, data_files_size_in_mb, chunk_si
             aggr_root=dst_meta.root,
             hf_features=hf_features,
             concatenate=concatenate_data,
+            one_row_group_per_episode=True,
         )
 
         # Record the mapping from source to actual destination
@@ -628,6 +630,7 @@ def append_or_create_parquet_file(
     aggr_root: Path = None,
     hf_features: datasets.Features | None = None,
     concatenate: bool = True,
+    one_row_group_per_episode: bool = False,
 ) -> tuple[dict[str, int], tuple[int, int]]:
     """Appends data to an existing parquet file or creates a new one based on size constraints.
 
@@ -645,6 +648,8 @@ def append_or_create_parquet_file(
         aggr_root: Root path for the aggregated dataset.
         hf_features: Optional HuggingFace Features schema for proper image typing.
         concatenate: When False, always rotate to a new file instead of appending to the current one.
+        one_row_group_per_episode: True for DATA parquet (emit one row group per episode); False for
+            the episodes-metadata parquet (already one row per episode).
 
     Returns:
         tuple: (updated_idx, (dst_chunk, dst_file)) where updated_idx is the index dict
@@ -657,6 +662,8 @@ def append_or_create_parquet_file(
         dst_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
         if contains_images:
             to_parquet_with_hf_images(df, dst_path, features=hf_features)
+        elif one_row_group_per_episode:
+            to_parquet_one_row_group_per_episode(df, dst_path)
         else:
             df.to_parquet(dst_path)
         return idx, (dst_chunk, dst_file)
@@ -683,6 +690,8 @@ def append_or_create_parquet_file(
 
     if contains_images:
         to_parquet_with_hf_images(final_df, target_path, features=hf_features)
+    elif one_row_group_per_episode:
+        to_parquet_one_row_group_per_episode(final_df, target_path)
     else:
         final_df.to_parquet(target_path)
 

src/lerobot/datasets/io_utils.py

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import datasets
 import numpy as np
 import pandas
 import pandas as pd
+import pyarrow as pa
 import pyarrow.dataset as pa_ds
 import pyarrow.parquet as pq
 import torch
@@ -270,21 +271,49 @@ def hf_transform_to_torch(items_dict: dict[str, list[Any]]) -> dict[str, list[to
     return items_dict
 
 
+def write_table_one_row_group_per_episode(table: pa.Table, path: Path) -> None:
+    """Write ``table`` with one parquet row group per episode (in episode order).
+
+    Keeps shards random-access friendly (``read_row_group(i)`` fetches episode i),
+    mirroring the recording writer. ``table`` must carry a contiguous
+    ``episode_index`` column.
+    """
+    episode_index = table.column("episode_index").to_numpy(zero_copy_only=False)
+    starts = np.concatenate(([0], np.nonzero(np.diff(episode_index))[0] + 1))
+    writer = pq.ParquetWriter(str(path), table.schema, compression="snappy", use_dictionary=True)
+    try:
+        for start, stop in zip(starts, np.append(starts[1:], len(episode_index)), strict=True):
+            writer.write_table(table.slice(start, stop - start))  # one episode -> one row group
+    finally:
+        writer.close()
+
+
 def to_parquet_with_hf_images(
     df: pandas.DataFrame, path: Path, features: datasets.Features | None = None
 ) -> None:
-    """This function correctly writes to parquet a panda DataFrame that contains images encoded by HF dataset.
-    This way, it can be loaded by HF dataset and correctly formatted images are returned.
+    """Write a DataFrame with HF-encoded images to parquet, one row group per episode.
 
-    Args:
-        df: DataFrame to write to parquet.
-        path: Path to write the parquet file.
-        features: Optional HuggingFace Features schema. If provided, ensures image columns
-                  are properly typed as Image() in the parquet schema.
+    Images are embedded into the arrow table first (``ParquetWriter.write_table``
+    does not embed external image files like ``Dataset.to_parquet`` does).
+    ``features`` types image columns as ``Image()`` in the parquet schema.
     """
-    # TODO(qlhoest): replace this weird synthax by `df.to_parquet(path)` only
     ds = datasets.Dataset.from_dict(df.to_dict(orient="list"), features=features)
-    ds.to_parquet(path)
+    ds = embed_images(ds)
+    table = ds.with_format("arrow")[:]
+    if "episode_index" in table.column_names:
+        write_table_one_row_group_per_episode(table, path)
+    else:
+        # No episode boundaries to align row groups to — keep a single write.
+        pq.write_table(table, str(path))
+
+
+def to_parquet_one_row_group_per_episode(df: pandas.DataFrame, path: Path) -> None:
+    """Write a (non-image) DataFrame to parquet with one row group per episode."""
+    table = pa.Table.from_pandas(df, preserve_index=False)
+    if "episode_index" in table.column_names:
+        write_table_one_row_group_per_episode(table, path)
+    else:
+        pq.write_table(table, str(path))
 
 
 def item_to_torch(item: dict) -> dict:

src/lerobot/datasets/pipeline_features.py

@@ -70,19 +70,21 @@ def aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features(
     initial_features: dict[PipelineFeatureType, dict[str, Any]],
     *,
     use_videos: bool = True,
+    exclude_images: bool = False,
     patterns: Sequence[str] | None = None,
 ) -> dict[str, dict]:
     """
     Aggregates and filters pipeline features to create a dataset-ready features dictionary.
 
     This function transforms initial features using the pipeline, categorizes them as action or observations
-    (image or state), filters them based on `use_videos` and `patterns`, and finally
+    (image or state), filters them based on `exclude_images` and `patterns`, and finally
     formats them for use with a Hugging Face LeRobot Dataset.
 
     Args:
         pipeline: The DataProcessorPipeline to apply.
         initial_features: A dictionary of raw feature specs for actions and observations.
-        use_videos: If False, image features are excluded.
+        use_videos: Controls the storage dtype for image features. If True, images are stored as "video"; if False, they are stored as "image".
+        exclude_images: If True, image features are dropped entirely from the output.
         patterns: A sequence of regex patterns to filter action and state features.
                   Image features are not affected by this filter.
 
@@ -120,7 +122,7 @@ def aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features(
             )
 
             # 2. Apply filtering rules.
-            if is_image and not use_videos:
+            if is_image and exclude_images:
                 continue
             if not is_image and not should_keep(key, compiled_patterns):
                 continue

src/lerobot/robots/unitree_g1/config_unitree_g1.py

@@ -68,6 +68,6 @@ class UnitreeG1Config(RobotConfig):
     # Compensates for gravity on the unitree's arms using the arm ik solver
     gravity_compensation: bool = False
 
-    # Lower-body controller class name, e.g. "GrootLocomotionController" or
-    # "HolosomaLocomotionController". None disables it.
+    # Locomotion controller class name, e.g. "GrootLocomotionController",
+    # "HolosomaLocomotionController", or "SonicWholeBodyController". None disables it.
     controller: str | None = None

src/lerobot/robots/unitree_g1/controllers/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+"""Unitree G1 locomotion controllers (Groot, Holosoma, SONIC)."""
+
+__all__ = [
+    "GrootLocomotionController",
+    "HolosomaLocomotionController",
+    "SonicWholeBodyController",
+    "SonicRuntime",
+]

src/lerobot/robots/unitree_g1/controllers/gr00t_locomotion.py

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import numpy as np
 import onnxruntime as ort
 from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
 
-from .g1_utils import (
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.g1_utils import (
     REMOTE_AXES,
     REMOTE_BUTTONS,
     G1_29_JointIndex,

src/lerobot/robots/unitree_g1/controllers/holosoma_locomotion.py

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import onnx
 import onnxruntime as ort
 from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
 
-from .g1_utils import (
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.g1_utils import (
     REMOTE_AXES,
     G1_29_JointArmIndex,
     G1_29_JointIndex,

src/lerobot/robots/unitree_g1/controllers/sonic_pipeline.py

@@ -0,0 +1,941 @@
+"""SONIC planner pipeline: ONNX enc/dec/planner, movement state, and input helpers."""
+
+import math
+import queue
+import select
+import struct
+import sys
+import termios
+import threading
+import time
+import tty
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from enum import IntEnum
+
+import numpy as np
+import onnxruntime as ort
+
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.g1_utils import G1_29_JointIndex
+
+# ── Constants ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+DEFAULT_ANGLES = np.array([
+    -0.312, 0.0, 0.0, 0.669, -0.363, 0.0,
+    -0.312, 0.0, 0.0, 0.669, -0.363, 0.0,
+    0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
+    0.2, 0.2, 0.0, 0.6, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
+    0.2, -0.2, 0.0, 0.6, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0,
+], dtype=np.float32)
+
+NATURAL_FREQ = 10.0 * 2.0 * np.pi
+ARMATURE = {"5020": 0.003609725, "7520_14": 0.010177520, "7520_22": 0.025101925, "4010": 0.00425}
+EFFORT   = {"5020": 25.0, "7520_14": 88.0, "7520_22": 139.0, "4010": 5.0}
+
+def _action_scale(k):
+    return 0.25 * EFFORT[k] / (ARMATURE[k] * NATURAL_FREQ**2)
+
+_J = ["7520_22","7520_22","7520_14","7520_22","5020","5020"] * 2 + \
+     ["7520_14","5020","5020"] + \
+     ["5020","5020","5020","5020","5020","4010","4010"] * 2
+ACTION_SCALE = np.array([_action_scale(k) for k in _J], dtype=np.float32)
+
+CONTROL_DT           = 0.02
+DEFAULT_HEIGHT       = 0.788740
+TOKEN_DIM            = 64
+ENCODER_UPDATE_EVERY = 5
+DEBUG_PRINT_EVERY    = 100
+MOTION_LOOK_AHEAD_STEPS = 2
+INITIAL_RANDOM_SEED  = 1234
+MIN_TOKENS, MAX_TOKENS = 6, 16
+K = MAX_TOKENS - MIN_TOKENS + 1
+DEADZONE             = 0.05
+BLEND_FRAMES         = 8
+
+REPLAN_INTERVAL = {
+    "running": 0.1, "crawling": 0.2, "boxing": 1.0, "default": 1.0
+}
+
+ISAACLAB_TO_MUJOCO = np.array([
+    0, 3, 6, 9, 13, 17, 1, 4, 7, 10, 14, 18, 2, 5, 8,
+    11, 15, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 12, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28
+], dtype=np.int32)
+
+MUJOCO_TO_ISAACLAB = np.array([
+    0, 6, 12, 1, 7, 13, 2, 8, 14, 3, 9, 15, 22, 4, 10,
+    16, 23, 5, 11, 17, 24, 18, 25, 19, 26, 20, 27, 21, 28
+], dtype=np.int32)
+
+def _to_mujoco(a):   return a[MUJOCO_TO_ISAACLAB]
+def _to_runtime(a):  r = np.zeros(29, np.float32); r[MUJOCO_TO_ISAACLAB] = a; return r
+
+DEFAULT_ANGLES_MUJOCO = _to_mujoco(DEFAULT_ANGLES)
+ENCODER_STANDING_REF  = DEFAULT_ANGLES.copy()
+
+LOWER_BODY_IL  = np.array([0,3,6,9,13,17,1,4,7,10,14,18], dtype=np.int32)
+WRIST_IL       = np.array([23,24,25,26,27,28], dtype=np.int32)
+VR_TARGET_DEF  = np.zeros(9, dtype=np.float32)
+VR_ORN_DEF     = np.array([1,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,1,0,0,0], dtype=np.float32)
+SMPL_DEF       = np.zeros(720, dtype=np.float32)
+
+# ── PD gains ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+def compute_kp_kd():
+    s = lambda k: ARMATURE[k] * NATURAL_FREQ**2
+    d = lambda k: 2.0 * 2.0 * ARMATURE[k] * NATURAL_FREQ
+    _kp_keys = ["7520_22","7520_22","7520_14","7520_22","5020","5020"] * 2 + \
+               ["7520_14","5020","5020"] + \
+               ["5020","5020","5020","5020","5020","4010","4010"] * 2
+    _kd_keys = _kp_keys
+    _double  = {4,5,10,11,13,14}  # ankle + waist indices with factor 2
+    kp = np.array([2*s(k) if i in _double else s(k) for i,k in enumerate(_kp_keys)], dtype=np.float32)
+    kd = np.array([2*d(k) if i in _double else d(k) for i,k in enumerate(_kd_keys)], dtype=np.float32)
+    return kp, kd
+
+
+_kp_kd = compute_kp_kd  # backward-compatible alias
+
+
+def lowstate_to_obs(lowstate) -> dict:
+    """Build a robot observation dict from Unitree lowstate."""
+    obs: dict = {}
+    for motor in G1_29_JointIndex:
+        idx = motor.value
+        obs[f"{motor.name}.q"] = float(lowstate.motor_state[idx].q)
+        obs[f"{motor.name}.dq"] = float(lowstate.motor_state[idx].dq)
+    quat = lowstate.imu_state.quaternion
+    obs["imu.quat.w"] = float(quat[0])
+    obs["imu.quat.x"] = float(quat[1])
+    obs["imu.quat.y"] = float(quat[2])
+    obs["imu.quat.z"] = float(quat[3])
+    gyro = lowstate.imu_state.gyroscope
+    obs["imu.gyro.x"] = float(gyro[0])
+    obs["imu.gyro.y"] = float(gyro[1])
+    obs["imu.gyro.z"] = float(gyro[2])
+    wr = getattr(lowstate, "wireless_remote", None)
+    if wr is not None:
+        obs["wireless_remote"] = bytes(wr) if not isinstance(wr, (bytes, bytearray)) else wr
+    return obs
+
+
+# ── Quaternion helpers ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+def quat_conj(q):
+    return np.array([q[0], -q[1], -q[2], -q[3]], dtype=np.float32)
+
+def quat_mul(q1, q2):
+    w1,x1,y1,z1 = q1;  w2,x2,y2,z2 = q2
+    return np.array([
+        w1*w2 - x1*x2 - y1*y2 - z1*z2,
+        w1*x2 + x1*w2 + y1*z2 - z1*y2,
+        w1*y2 - x1*z2 + y1*w2 + z1*x2,
+        w1*z2 + x1*y2 - y1*x2 + z1*w2,
+    ], dtype=np.float32)
+
+def gravity_dir(q):
+    q = q / (np.linalg.norm(q) + 1e-8)
+    qv = np.array([0, 0, 0, -1], dtype=np.float32)
+    return quat_mul(quat_mul(quat_conj(q), qv), q)[1:]
+
+def quat_to_6d(q):
+    w,x,y,z = q
+    return np.array([
+        1-2*(y*y+z*z), 2*(x*y-z*w),
+        2*(x*y+z*w),   1-2*(x*x+z*z),
+        2*(x*z-y*w),   2*(y*z+x*w),
+    ], dtype=np.float32)
+
+def calc_heading(q):
+    w,x,y,z = q
+    return float(np.arctan2(2*(x*y + w*z), 1-2*(y*y+z*z)))
+
+def heading_quat(q, sign=1.0):
+    a = sign * calc_heading(q) / 2.0
+    return np.array([np.cos(a), 0, 0, np.sin(a)], dtype=np.float64)
+
+heading_quat_inv = lambda q: heading_quat(q, -1.0)
+
+def quat_slerp(q0, q1, t):
+    q0 = q0 / (np.linalg.norm(q0)+1e-12);  q1 = q1 / (np.linalg.norm(q1)+1e-12)
+    dot = float(np.dot(q0, q1))
+    if dot < 0: q1, dot = -q1, -dot
+    dot = min(dot, 1.0)
+    if dot > 0.9995:
+        r = q0 + t*(q1-q0); return r/(np.linalg.norm(r)+1e-12)
+    th = np.arccos(dot); st = np.sin(th)
+    return (np.sin((1-t)*th)/st)*q0 + (np.sin(t*th)/st)*q1
+
+def quat_slerp_batch(q0, q1, t):
+    q0 = q0 / (np.linalg.norm(q0,axis=1,keepdims=True)+1e-12)
+    q1 = q1 / (np.linalg.norm(q1,axis=1,keepdims=True)+1e-12)
+    dot = np.sum(q0*q1, axis=1); neg = dot<0
+    q1=q1.copy(); q1[neg]=-q1[neg]; dot[neg]=-dot[neg]; dot=np.clip(dot,-1,1)
+    lin = dot>0.9995; th=np.arccos(dot); st=np.where(np.sin(th)==0,1,np.sin(th))
+    c0=np.sin((1-t)*th)/st; c1=np.sin(t*th)/st
+    c0[lin]=1-t[lin]; c1[lin]=t[lin]
+    r = c0[:,None]*q0 + c1[:,None]*q1
+    return r / (np.linalg.norm(r,axis=1,keepdims=True)+1e-12)
+
+# ── Locomotion modes ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+class LocomotionMode(IntEnum):
+    IDLE=0; SLOW_WALK=1; WALK=2; RUN=3; SQUAT=4; KNEEL_TWO_LEGS=5; KNEEL=6
+    LYING_FACE_DOWN=7; CRAWLING=8; IDLE_BOXING=9; WALK_BOXING=10
+    LEFT_PUNCH=11; RIGHT_PUNCH=12; RANDOM_PUNCH=13; ELBOW_CRAWLING=14
+    LEFT_HOOK=15; RIGHT_HOOK=16; FORWARD_JUMP=17; STEALTH_WALK=18
+    INJURED_WALK=19; LEDGE_WALKING=20; OBJECT_CARRYING=21; STEALTH_WALK_2=22
+    HAPPY_DANCE_WALK=23; ZOMBIE_WALK=24; GUN_WALK=25; SCARE_WALK=26
+
+LM = LocomotionMode
+
+MOTION_SETS = [
+    ("Standing",     [LM.SLOW_WALK, LM.WALK, LM.RUN, LM.FORWARD_JUMP, LM.STEALTH_WALK, LM.INJURED_WALK]),
+    ("Squat / Low",  [LM.SQUAT, LM.KNEEL_TWO_LEGS, LM.KNEEL, LM.CRAWLING, LM.ELBOW_CRAWLING]),
+    ("Boxing",       [LM.IDLE_BOXING, LM.WALK_BOXING, LM.LEFT_PUNCH, LM.RIGHT_PUNCH,
+                      LM.RANDOM_PUNCH, LM.LEFT_HOOK, LM.RIGHT_HOOK]),
+    ("Styled Walks", [LM.LEDGE_WALKING, LM.OBJECT_CARRYING, LM.STEALTH_WALK_2,
+                      LM.HAPPY_DANCE_WALK, LM.ZOMBIE_WALK, LM.GUN_WALK, LM.SCARE_WALK]),
+]
+
+STATIC_MODES   = {LM.IDLE, LM.SQUAT, LM.KNEEL_TWO_LEGS, LM.KNEEL, LM.LYING_FACE_DOWN, LM.IDLE_BOXING}
+STANDING_MODES = {LM.IDLE, LM.SLOW_WALK, LM.WALK, LM.RUN, LM.IDLE_BOXING, LM.WALK_BOXING,
+                  LM.LEFT_PUNCH, LM.RIGHT_PUNCH, LM.RANDOM_PUNCH, LM.LEFT_HOOK, LM.RIGHT_HOOK,
+                  LM.FORWARD_JUMP, LM.STEALTH_WALK, LM.INJURED_WALK, LM.LEDGE_WALKING,
+                  LM.OBJECT_CARRYING, LM.STEALTH_WALK_2, LM.HAPPY_DANCE_WALK,
+                  LM.ZOMBIE_WALK, LM.GUN_WALK, LM.SCARE_WALK}
+BOXING_MODES   = {LM.WALK_BOXING, LM.LEFT_PUNCH, LM.RIGHT_PUNCH,
+                  LM.RANDOM_PUNCH, LM.LEFT_HOOK, LM.RIGHT_HOOK}
+SPEED_RANGES   = {LM.SLOW_WALK:(0.2,0.8), LM.WALK:(0.8,1.5), LM.RUN:(1.5,3.0),
+                  LM.CRAWLING:(0.4,1.0),  LM.ELBOW_CRAWLING:(0.7,1.0)}
+
+def clamp_mode_params(ms):
+    m = LM(ms.mode)
+    ms.height = -1.0 if m in STANDING_MODES else max(0.1, min(0.8, ms.height if ms.height>=0 else 0.2))
+    if m in STATIC_MODES:
+        ms.speed = -1.0
+    elif m in SPEED_RANGES:
+        lo, hi = SPEED_RANGES[m]
+        ms.speed = max(lo, min(hi, ms.speed if ms.speed>=0 else lo))
+    elif m in BOXING_MODES:
+        ms.speed = max(0.7, min(1.5, ms.speed if ms.speed>=0 else 0.7))
+    else:
+        ms.speed = -1.0
+
+def replan_interval(mode):
+    m = LM(mode)
+    if m == LM.RUN: return REPLAN_INTERVAL["running"]
+    if m == LM.CRAWLING: return REPLAN_INTERVAL["crawling"]
+    if m in {LM.LEFT_PUNCH, LM.RIGHT_PUNCH, LM.RANDOM_PUNCH, LM.LEFT_HOOK, LM.RIGHT_HOOK}:
+        return REPLAN_INTERVAL["boxing"]
+    return REPLAN_INTERVAL["default"]
+
+
+def _ort_providers(force_cpu: bool = False) -> list[str]:
+    """Prefer CUDA for enc/dec/planner (matches deploy when onnxruntime-gpu is installed)."""
+    avail = ort.get_available_providers()
+    if not force_cpu and "CUDAExecutionProvider" in avail:
+        return ["CUDAExecutionProvider", "CPUExecutionProvider"]
+    return ["CPUExecutionProvider"]
+
+# ── Movement state ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+@dataclass
+class MovementState:
+    mode: int          = LM.SLOW_WALK  # not IDLE — walking modes respond to WASD
+    speed: float       = -1.0
+    height: float      = -1.0
+    facing_angle: float = 0.0
+    movement_angle: float = 0.0
+    has_movement: bool = False
+    motion_set_idx: int = 0
+    needs_replan: bool = False
+
+    @property
+    def movement_direction(self):
+        if not self.has_movement: return (0.0, 0.0, 0.0)
+        return (math.cos(self.movement_angle), math.sin(self.movement_angle), 0.0)
+
+    @property
+    def facing_direction(self):
+        return (math.cos(self.facing_angle), math.sin(self.facing_angle), 0.0)
+
+    def status_line(self):
+        return (f"[{MOTION_SETS[self.motion_set_idx][0]}] mode={self.mode}({LM(self.mode).name}) "
+                f"spd={'default' if self.speed<0 else f'{self.speed:.1f}'} "
+                f"hgt={'default' if self.height<0 else f'{self.height:.2f}'} "
+                f"facing={math.degrees(self.facing_angle):.0f}° "
+                f"{'moving' if self.has_movement else 'still'}")
+
+
+@dataclass
+class MovementSnapshot:
+    mode: int = 0
+    speed: float = -1.0
+    height: float = -1.0
+    movement: tuple[float, float, float] = (0.0, 0.0, 0.0)
+    facing: tuple[float, float, float] = (1.0, 0.0, 0.0)
+
+
+def _snapshot_ms(ms: MovementState) -> MovementSnapshot:
+    md, fd = ms.movement_direction, ms.facing_direction
+    return MovementSnapshot(ms.mode, ms.speed, ms.height, (md[0], md[1], md[2]), (fd[0], fd[1], fd[2]))
+
+
+def should_replan_request(ms: MovementState, last: MovementSnapshot, replan_timer: float, step: int) -> bool:
+    """Match C++ G1Deploy::Planner replan triggers (g1_deploy_onnx_ref.cpp)."""
+    if step <= 0:
+        return False
+    if ms.needs_replan:
+        return True
+    md, fd = ms.movement_direction, ms.facing_direction
+    facing_changed = fd != last.facing
+    height_changed = ms.height != last.height
+    mode_changed = ms.mode != last.mode
+    speed_changed = ms.speed != last.speed
+    dir_changed = md != last.movement
+    is_static = LM(ms.mode) in STATIC_MODES
+    if mode_changed or facing_changed or height_changed:
+        return True
+    time_to_replan = replan_timer >= replan_interval(ms.mode)
+    if not is_static and (speed_changed or dir_changed or (time_to_replan and ms.speed != 0)):
+        return True
+    return False
+
+# ── Encoder / Decoder ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+class StandingEncoderDecoder:
+    def __init__(self, encoder, decoder):
+        self.encoder, self.decoder = encoder, decoder
+        self.encoder_input  = encoder.get_inputs()[0].name
+        self.decoder_input  = decoder.get_inputs()[0].name
+        enc_dim = int(encoder.get_inputs()[0].shape[1])
+        dec_dim = int(decoder.get_inputs()[0].shape[1])
+        if enc_dim != 1762 or dec_dim != 994:
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Unexpected dims encoder={enc_dim}, decoder={dec_dim}")
+        self.token             = np.zeros(TOKEN_DIM, np.float32)
+        self.last_action_mj   = np.zeros(29, np.float32)
+        self.h_q_mj   = [np.zeros(29, np.float32)] * 10
+        self.h_dq_mj  = [np.zeros(29, np.float32)] * 10
+        self.h_ang    = [np.zeros(3,  np.float32)] * 10
+        self.h_act_mj = [np.zeros(29, np.float32)] * 10
+        self.h_quat   = [np.array([1,0,0,0], np.float32)] * 10
+        self.init_base_quat   = np.array([1,0,0,0], np.float32)
+        self.init_ref_quat    = np.array([1,0,0,0], np.float32)
+        self._heading_init    = False
+        self.encode_mode      = 0
+        self.vr_3point_local_target    = VR_TARGET_DEF.copy()
+        self.vr_3point_local_orn_target = VR_ORN_DEF.copy()
+        self.smpl_joints_10frame_step1 = SMPL_DEF.copy()
+        self.set_zero_reference()
+
+    def update_history(self, q, dq, ang, quat):
+        quat = quat / (np.linalg.norm(quat)+1e-8)
+        q_mj = _to_mujoco(q); dq_mj = _to_mujoco(dq)
+        self.h_q_mj   = [q_mj - DEFAULT_ANGLES_MUJOCO] + self.h_q_mj[:-1]
+        self.h_dq_mj  = [dq_mj]       + self.h_dq_mj[:-1]
+        self.h_ang    = [ang.copy()]   + self.h_ang[:-1]
+        self.h_act_mj = [self.last_action_mj.copy()] + self.h_act_mj[:-1]
+        self.h_quat   = [quat.copy()]  + self.h_quat[:-1]
+        if not self._heading_init:
+            self.init_base_quat = quat.copy(); self._heading_init = True
+
+    def _heading_quat(self, q):
+        h = calc_heading(q) / 2.0
+        return np.array([np.cos(h), 0, 0, np.sin(h)], np.float32)
+
+    def _heading_quat_inv(self, q):
+        h = calc_heading(q) / 2.0
+        return np.array([np.cos(-h), 0, 0, np.sin(-h)], np.float32)
+
+    def _anchor_6d(self, base_quat, ref_quat=None):
+        if ref_quat is None: ref_quat = self.init_ref_quat
+        delta = quat_mul(self._heading_quat(self.init_base_quat), self._heading_quat_inv(self.init_ref_quat))
+        new_ref = quat_mul(delta, ref_quat)
+        return quat_to_6d(quat_mul(quat_conj(base_quat), new_ref))
+
+    def set_zero_reference(self):
+        self.motion_joint_positions  = [ENCODER_STANDING_REF.copy()]
+        self.motion_joint_velocities = [np.zeros(29, np.float32)]
+        self.motion_body_quats       = [np.array([1,0,0,0], np.float32)]
+        self.motion_body_z           = [DEFAULT_HEIGHT]
+        self.motion_timesteps        = 1
+        self.freeze_ref_frame        = 0
+        self.init_ref_quat           = self.motion_body_quats[0].copy()
+
+    def build_encoder_obs(self):
+        obs = np.zeros(1762, np.float32)
+        obs[0] = float(self.encode_mode)
+        rf = min(self.freeze_ref_frame, self.motion_timesteps - 1)
+        ref_pos, ref_quat = self.motion_joint_positions[rf], self.motion_body_quats[rf]
+        if self.encode_mode == 0:
+            for f in range(10):
+                obs[4+29*f:4+29*(f+1)] = ref_pos
+                obs[601+6*f:601+6*(f+1)] = self._anchor_6d(self.h_quat[0], ref_quat)
+        elif self.encode_mode == 1:
+            ref_lower = ref_pos[LOWER_BODY_IL]
+            for f in range(10):
+                obs[661+12*f:661+12*(f+1)] = ref_lower
+            obs[901:910] = self.vr_3point_local_target
+            obs[910:922] = self.vr_3point_local_orn_target
+            obs[595:601]  = self._anchor_6d(self.h_quat[0], ref_quat)
+        elif self.encode_mode == 2:
+            obs[922:1642] = self.smpl_joints_10frame_step1
+            for f in range(10):
+                obs[1642+6*f:1642+6*(f+1)] = self._anchor_6d(self.h_quat[0], ref_quat)
+                obs[1702+6*f:1702+6*(f+1)] = ref_pos[WRIST_IL]
+        else:
+            raise RuntimeError(f"Unsupported encoder mode: {self.encode_mode}")
+        return obs
+
+    def build_decoder_obs(self):
+        obs = np.zeros(994, np.float32); off = 0
+        obs[off:off+64] = self.token; off += 64
+        for h, sz in [(list(reversed(self.h_ang)),3), (list(reversed(self.h_q_mj)),29),
+                      (list(reversed(self.h_dq_mj)),29), (list(reversed(self.h_act_mj)),29)]:
+            for f in range(10): obs[off:off+sz] = h[f]; off += sz
+        for q in reversed(self.h_quat):
+            obs[off:off+3] = gravity_dir(q); off += 3
+        assert off == 994, f"Decoder obs mismatch: {off}"
+        return obs
+
+    def run_encoder(self):
+        return self.encoder.run(None, {self.encoder_input: self.build_encoder_obs().reshape(1,-1)})[0].squeeze().astype(np.float32)
+
+    def step(self, robot_obs, update_encoder, debug=False):
+        jnames = [m.name for m in G1_29_JointIndex]
+        q   = np.array([robot_obs.get(f"{n}.q",  DEFAULT_ANGLES[m.value]) for m,n in zip(G1_29_JointIndex,jnames)], np.float32)
+        dq  = np.array([robot_obs.get(f"{n}.dq", 0.0) for n in jnames], np.float32)
+        quat = np.array([robot_obs.get("imu.quat.w",1), robot_obs.get("imu.quat.x",0),
+                         robot_obs.get("imu.quat.y",0), robot_obs.get("imu.quat.z",0)], np.float32)
+        ang  = np.array([robot_obs.get(f"imu.gyro.{a}",0) for a in "xyz"], np.float32)
+        self.update_history(q, dq, ang, quat)
+        if update_encoder: self.token = self.run_encoder()
+        action_mj = self.decoder.run(None, {self.decoder_input: self.build_decoder_obs().reshape(1,-1)})[0].squeeze().astype(np.float32)
+        self.last_action_mj = action_mj.copy()
+        target = DEFAULT_ANGLES + action_mj[ISAACLAB_TO_MUJOCO] * ACTION_SCALE
+        if debug:
+            delta = target - q
+            print(f"token_norm={np.linalg.norm(self.token):.4f} action_norm={np.linalg.norm(action_mj):.4f} "
+                  f"delta_max={np.max(np.abs(delta)):.4f} delta_rms={np.sqrt(np.mean(delta**2)):.4f}")
+        return {f"{m.name}.q": float(target[m.value]) for m in G1_29_JointIndex}
+
+    def print_input_diagnostics(self):
+        print("\n[Diag] Standing reference checks")
+        names = {0:"g1", 1:"teleop", 2:"smpl"}
+        print(f"  encoder mode: {self.encode_mode} ({names.get(self.encode_mode,'unknown')})")
+        print(f"  DEFAULT_ANGLES range: [{DEFAULT_ANGLES.min():+.4f}, {DEFAULT_ANGLES.max():+.4f}]")
+        print(f"  anchor_6d(identity): {self._anchor_6d(np.array([1,0,0,0],np.float32), np.array([1,0,0,0],np.float32))}")
+        print(f"  gravity(identity): {gravity_dir(np.array([1,0,0,0],np.float32))} (expect [0,0,-1])")
+        dec0 = self.build_decoder_obs()
+        print(f"  decoder q-delta max: {np.max(np.abs(dec0[94:384])):.6f}")
+        print(f"  decoder dq max:      {np.max(np.abs(dec0[384:674])):.6f}")
+
+# ── Planner motion buffer ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+class PlannerMotion:
+    def __init__(self, max_frames=1500):
+        self.timesteps         = 0
+        self.joint_positions   = np.zeros((max_frames, 29), np.float64)
+        self.joint_velocities  = np.zeros((max_frames, 29), np.float64)
+        self.body_positions    = np.zeros((max_frames, 3),  np.float64)
+        self.body_quaternions  = np.zeros((max_frames, 4),  np.float64)
+        self.body_quaternions[:, 0] = 1.0
+
+# ── Subprocess planner ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+def _resample_30_to_50(qpos, n30):
+    t50 = int(np.floor(n30 / 30.0 * 50))
+    f30 = np.arange(t50) / 50.0 * 30.0
+    f0  = np.floor(f30).astype(int)
+    f1  = np.minimum(f0+1, n30-1)
+    frac, w0 = (f30-f0).astype(np.float64), None
+    w0 = 1.0 - frac
+    jp = (w0[:,None]*qpos[f0,7:36] + frac[:,None]*qpos[f1,7:36])[:,MUJOCO_TO_ISAACLAB]
+    jv = np.zeros_like(jp)
+    if t50 >= 2: jv[:t50-1] = (jp[1:] - jp[:-1]) * 50.0; jv[-1] = jv[-2]
+    return {
+        "timesteps": t50,
+        "joint_positions":  jp,
+        "joint_velocities": jv,
+        "body_positions":   w0[:,None]*qpos[f0,:3]   + frac[:,None]*qpos[f1,:3],
+        "body_quaternions": quat_slerp_batch(qpos[f0,3:7], qpos[f1,3:7], frac),
+    }
+
+def _build_planner_inputs(ctx, ms_dict, version, seed):
+    inp = {
+        "context_mujoco_qpos": ctx.astype(np.float32).reshape(1,4,36),
+        "target_vel":          np.array([ms_dict["speed"]], np.float32),
+        "mode":                np.array([ms_dict["mode"]], np.int64),
+        "movement_direction":  np.array(ms_dict["movement_direction"], np.float32).reshape(1,3),
+        "facing_direction":    np.array(ms_dict["facing_direction"],   np.float32).reshape(1,3),
+        "random_seed":         np.array([seed], np.int64),
+    }
+    if version >= 1:
+        # TensorRT deploy: allow 9–11 prediction tokens only (indices 3–5 for MIN_TOKENS=6).
+        allowed = np.zeros((1, K), np.int64)
+        if K >= 6:
+            allowed[0, 3:6] = 1
+        inp.update({
+            "height": np.array([ms_dict["height"]], np.float32),
+            "has_specific_target":       np.array([[0]], np.int64),
+            "specific_target_positions": np.zeros((1,4,3), np.float32),
+            "specific_target_headings":  np.zeros((1,4),   np.float32),
+            "allowed_pred_num_tokens":   allowed,
+        })
+    return inp
+
+def _planner_worker(path, req_q, res_q, stop_evt, version, seed, use_gpu):
+    so = ort.SessionOptions(); so.log_severity_level = 3
+    providers = _ort_providers(force_cpu=not use_gpu)
+    sess = ort.InferenceSession(path, sess_options=so, providers=providers)
+    while not stop_evt.is_set():
+        try: ctx, gf, ms_dict = req_q.get(timeout=0.05)
+        except Exception: continue
+        try:
+            inp = _build_planner_inputs(ctx, ms_dict, version, seed)
+            t0 = time.time()
+            qpos_out, num_pred = sess.run(None, inp)
+            t_inf = time.time()
+            n = int(num_pred.flat[0])
+            qpos = qpos_out[0,:n]
+            if np.any(np.isnan(qpos)): continue
+            motion = _resample_30_to_50(qpos, n)
+            motion["gen_frame"] = gf
+            print(f"[Planner] inf={1000*(t_inf-t0):.1f}ms total={1000*(time.time()-t0):.1f}ms frames={n}", flush=True)
+            while not res_q.empty():
+                try: res_q.get_nowait()
+                except queue.Empty: break
+            res_q.put(motion)
+        except Exception as e:
+            print(f"[Planner] Error: {e}", flush=True)
+
+# ── SonicPlanner ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+class SonicPlanner:
+    def __init__(self, session, planner_path):
+        self.session      = session
+        self.planner_path = planner_path
+        self.gen_frame    = 0
+        self.random_seed  = INITIAL_RANDOM_SEED
+        self.version      = 1 if len(session.get_inputs()) >= 11 else 0
+        self.motion_50hz  = PlannerMotion()
+        self._snapshot    = PlannerMotion()
+        self._req_q = self._res_q = self._stop_evt = self._planner_thread = None
+        self._ctrl = None
+
+    def _build_inputs(self, ctx, ms):
+        return _build_planner_inputs(
+            ctx,
+            {"mode": ms.mode, "speed": ms.speed, "height": ms.height,
+             "movement_direction": list(ms.movement_direction),
+             "facing_direction":   list(ms.facing_direction)},
+            self.version, self.random_seed)
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def build_initial_context(joint_positions):
+        ctx = np.zeros((4, 36), np.float32)
+        jp_mj = joint_positions.astype(np.float32)[ISAACLAB_TO_MUJOCO]
+        for n in range(4):
+            ctx[n, 2] = DEFAULT_HEIGHT
+            ctx[n, 3] = 1.0
+            ctx[n, 7:36] = jp_mj
+        return ctx
+
+    def _context_from_controller(self, current_frame):
+        ctrl = self._ctrl
+        gen_frame = current_frame + MOTION_LOOK_AHEAD_STEPS
+        t_arr = gen_frame / 50.0 + np.arange(4) / 30.0
+        f50 = t_arr * 50.0
+        with ctrl.motion_lock:
+            ts = ctrl.motion_timesteps
+            if ts <= 0:
+                return self.build_initial_context(DEFAULT_ANGLES)
+            bp, bq, jp = ctrl.motion_body_pos, ctrl.motion_body_quats, ctrl.motion_joint_positions
+            f0 = np.minimum(np.floor(f50).astype(int), ts - 1)
+            f1 = np.minimum(f0 + 1, ts - 1)
+        frac = f50 - f0
+        w0 = 1.0 - frac
+        ctx = np.zeros((4, 36), np.float32)
+        ctx[:, 0:3] = w0[:, None] * bp[f0] + frac[:, None] * bp[f1]
+        ctx[:, 3:7] = quat_slerp_batch(bq[f0], bq[f1], frac)
+        ij = w0[:, None] * jp[f0] + frac[:, None] * jp[f1]
+        ctx[:, 7:36] = ij[:, ISAACLAB_TO_MUJOCO]
+        self.gen_frame = gen_frame
+        return ctx
+
+    def _load_motion_in_place(self, qpos, n30, target=None):
+        if target is None: target = self.motion_50hz
+        r = _resample_30_to_50(qpos, n30)
+        n = r["timesteps"]; target.timesteps = n
+        target.joint_positions[:n]  = r["joint_positions"]
+        target.joint_velocities[:n] = r["joint_velocities"]
+        target.body_positions[:n]   = r["body_positions"]
+        target.body_quaternions[:n] = r["body_quaternions"]
+        return target
+
+    def initialize(self, joint_positions, ms):
+        ctx = self.build_initial_context(joint_positions)
+        qpos_out, num_pred = self.session.run(None, self._build_inputs(ctx, ms))
+        n = int(num_pred.flat[0]); qpos = qpos_out[0,:n]
+        if np.any(np.isnan(qpos)): raise RuntimeError("Planner initial output contains NaN")
+        print(f"[Planner] Init: {n} frames @ 30 Hz")
+        self._load_motion_in_place(qpos, n)
+        print(f"[Planner] Resampled to {self.motion_50hz.timesteps} frames @ 50 Hz")
+        return self.motion_50hz
+
+    def request_replan(self, cursor, ms):
+        if self._req_q is None: return
+        ctx = self._context_from_controller(cursor)
+        ms_dict = {"mode": ms.mode, "speed": ms.speed, "height": ms.height,
+                   "movement_direction": list(ms.movement_direction),
+                   "facing_direction":   list(ms.facing_direction)}
+        while not self._req_q.empty():
+            try: self._req_q.get_nowait()
+            except queue.Empty: break
+        self._req_q.put((ctx, self.gen_frame, ms_dict))
+
+    def try_get_new_motion(self):
+        if self._res_q is None: return None
+        result = None
+        while not self._res_q.empty():
+            try: result = self._res_q.get_nowait()
+            except queue.Empty: break
+        if result is None: return None
+        n, gf = result["timesteps"], result["gen_frame"]
+        s = self._snapshot; s.timesteps = n
+        s.joint_positions[:n]  = result["joint_positions"]
+        s.joint_velocities[:n] = result["joint_velocities"]
+        s.body_positions[:n]   = result["body_positions"]
+        s.body_quaternions[:n] = result["body_quaternions"]
+        return s, gf
+
+    def start_subprocess(self, controller, use_gpu: bool = False):
+        """Run planner ONNX in a background thread (avoids mp spawn/fork + CUDA/MuJoCo issues)."""
+        self._ctrl = controller
+        self._req_q = queue.Queue()
+        self._res_q = queue.Queue()
+        self._stop_evt = threading.Event()
+        self._planner_thread = threading.Thread(
+            target=_planner_worker,
+            args=(self.planner_path, self._req_q, self._res_q,
+                  self._stop_evt, self.version, self.random_seed, use_gpu),
+            daemon=True,
+            name="sonic-planner",
+        )
+        self._planner_thread.start()
+        print(f"[Planner] Background thread started ({'GPU' if use_gpu else 'CPU'})")
+
+    def stop_subprocess(self):
+        if self._stop_evt:
+            self._stop_evt.set()
+        if self._planner_thread is not None:
+            self._planner_thread.join(timeout=3.0)
+            print("[Planner] Background thread stopped")
+        self._planner_thread = None
+        self._req_q = self._res_q = self._stop_evt = None
+
+# ── PlannerController ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+class PlannerController(StandingEncoderDecoder):
+    def __init__(self, planner, encoder, decoder):
+        super().__init__(encoder, decoder)
+        self.planner = planner
+        self.ref_cursor       = 0
+        self.motion_timesteps = 0
+        self.motion_joint_positions  = np.zeros((1500,29), np.float64)
+        self.motion_joint_velocities = np.zeros((1500,29), np.float64)
+        self.motion_body_quats       = np.zeros((1500,4),  np.float64); self.motion_body_quats[:,0] = 1.0
+        self.motion_body_pos         = np.zeros((1500,3),  np.float64)
+        self.init_ref_quat        = np.array([1,0,0,0], np.float64)
+        self.heading_init_base_quat = np.array([1,0,0,0], np.float64)
+        self.delta_heading = 0.0
+        self.reinit_heading = False
+        self.playing = self.first_motion = False
+        self.motion_lock = threading.Lock()
+
+    def load_initial_motion(self, motion):
+        with self.motion_lock:
+            n = motion.timesteps
+            self.motion_timesteps = n
+            self.motion_joint_positions[:n]  = motion.joint_positions[:n]
+            self.motion_joint_velocities[:n] = motion.joint_velocities[:n]
+            self.motion_body_quats[:n]       = motion.body_quaternions[:n]
+            self.motion_body_pos[:n]         = motion.body_positions[:n]
+            self.init_ref_quat = motion.body_quaternions[0].copy()
+            self.ref_cursor = 0; self.first_motion = True
+            self.playing = True; self.delta_heading = 0.0
+
+    def blend_new_motion(self, new_motion, gen_frame):
+        """Blend like C++ CurrentFrameAdvancement: 8-frame cross-fade, then copy tail."""
+        with self.motion_lock:
+            cur = self.ref_cursor
+            new_len = gen_frame - cur + new_motion.timesteps
+            if new_len <= 0:
+                return
+            if self.motion_timesteps == 0:
+                n = new_motion.timesteps
+                self.motion_joint_positions[:n] = new_motion.joint_positions[:n]
+                self.motion_joint_velocities[:n] = new_motion.joint_velocities[:n]
+                self.motion_body_pos[:n] = new_motion.body_positions[:n]
+                self.motion_body_quats[:n] = new_motion.body_quaternions[:n]
+                self.motion_timesteps = n
+                self.ref_cursor = 0
+                self.init_ref_quat = self.motion_body_quats[0].copy()
+                self.first_motion = False
+                return
+
+            blend_start = max(0, gen_frame - cur)
+            blend_end = min(new_len, blend_start + BLEND_FRAMES)
+
+            for f in range(blend_end):
+                f_old = min(f + cur, self.motion_timesteps - 1)
+                f_new = max(0, min(f + cur - gen_frame, new_motion.timesteps - 1))
+                w_new = min(1.0, max(0.0, (f - blend_start) / BLEND_FRAMES))
+                w_old = 1.0 - w_new
+                self.motion_joint_positions[f] = (
+                    w_old * self.motion_joint_positions[f_old]
+                    + w_new * new_motion.joint_positions[f_new]
+                )
+                self.motion_joint_velocities[f] = (
+                    w_old * self.motion_joint_velocities[f_old]
+                    + w_new * new_motion.joint_velocities[f_new]
+                )
+                self.motion_body_pos[f] = (
+                    w_old * self.motion_body_pos[f_old]
+                    + w_new * new_motion.body_positions[f_new]
+                )
+                self.motion_body_quats[f] = quat_slerp(
+                    self.motion_body_quats[f_old], new_motion.body_quaternions[f_new], w_new
+                )
+
+            for f in range(blend_end, new_len):
+                f_new = max(0, min(f + cur - gen_frame, new_motion.timesteps - 1))
+                self.motion_joint_positions[f] = new_motion.joint_positions[f_new]
+                self.motion_joint_velocities[f] = new_motion.joint_velocities[f_new]
+                self.motion_body_pos[f] = new_motion.body_positions[f_new]
+                self.motion_body_quats[f] = new_motion.body_quaternions[f_new].copy()
+
+            self.motion_timesteps = new_len
+            self.first_motion = False
+            self.ref_cursor = 0
+            self.init_ref_quat = self.motion_body_quats[0].copy()
+
+    def _heading_apply_delta(self):
+        delta = quat_mul(heading_quat(self.heading_init_base_quat).astype(np.float32),
+                         heading_quat_inv(self.init_ref_quat).astype(np.float32))
+        if self.delta_heading:
+            h = self.delta_heading / 2.0
+            delta = quat_mul(np.array([np.cos(h),0,0,np.sin(h)], np.float32), delta)
+        return delta
+
+    def _anchor_6d(self, base_quat, ref_quat=None):
+        if ref_quat is None: ref_quat = self.init_ref_quat
+        new_ref = quat_mul(self._heading_apply_delta(), ref_quat.astype(np.float32))
+        return quat_to_6d(quat_mul(quat_conj(base_quat.astype(np.float32)), new_ref))
+
+    def build_encoder_obs(self):
+        obs = np.zeros(1762, np.float32); obs[0] = float(self.encode_mode)
+        with self.motion_lock:
+            if self.encode_mode == 2:
+                # SMPL whole-body imitation: the 720-dim SMPL window carries the
+                # target pose; the planner reference frame supplies anchor + wrist.
+                rf = min(self.ref_cursor, self.motion_timesteps - 1)
+                ref_pos  = self.motion_joint_positions[rf].astype(np.float32)
+                ref_quat = self.motion_body_quats[rf].astype(np.float32)
+                anchor = self._anchor_6d(self.h_quat[0], ref_quat)
+                wrist  = ref_pos[WRIST_IL]
+                obs[922:1642] = self.smpl_joints_10frame_step1
+                for f in range(10):
+                    obs[1642+6*f:1642+6*(f+1)] = anchor
+                    obs[1702+6*f:1702+6*(f+1)] = wrist
+                return obs
+            for f in range(10):
+                tf = min(self.ref_cursor + f*5 if self.playing else self.ref_cursor,
+                         self.motion_timesteps - 1)
+                obs[4+29*f:4+29*(f+1)] = self.motion_joint_positions[tf].astype(np.float32)
+                if self.playing:
+                    obs[294+29*f:294+29*(f+1)] = self.motion_joint_velocities[tf].astype(np.float32)
+                obs[601+6*f:601+6*(f+1)] = self._anchor_6d(
+                    self.h_quat[0], self.motion_body_quats[tf].astype(np.float32))
+        return obs
+
+    def step(self, robot_obs, update_encoder, debug=False):
+        if robot_obs and (self.first_motion or self.reinit_heading):
+            q = None
+            if "imu.quat.w" in robot_obs:
+                q = np.array([
+                    robot_obs["imu.quat.w"], robot_obs["imu.quat.x"],
+                    robot_obs["imu.quat.y"], robot_obs["imu.quat.z"],
+                ], np.float64)
+            else:
+                q = robot_obs.get("imu.quaternion")
+                if q is not None:
+                    q = np.array(q, np.float64)
+            if q is not None:
+                self.heading_init_base_quat = np.array(q, np.float64)
+                with self.motion_lock:
+                    rf = min(self.ref_cursor, self.motion_timesteps - 1)
+                    self.init_ref_quat = self.motion_body_quats[rf].copy()
+                self.delta_heading = 0.0
+                self.first_motion = False
+                self.reinit_heading = False
+                print(f"[Heading] init quat: {self.heading_init_base_quat}")
+        return super().step(robot_obs, update_encoder=update_encoder, debug=debug)
+
+    def advance_cursor(self):
+        """Advance one frame per 50 Hz tick (C++ current_frame_ += 1), no wall-clock catch-up."""
+        if not self.playing:
+            return
+        with self.motion_lock:
+            if self.motion_timesteps > 0:
+                self.ref_cursor = min(self.ref_cursor + 1, self.motion_timesteps - 1)
+
+# ── Keyboard ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+class RawKeyboard:
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.fd = sys.stdin.fileno()
+        self.old = termios.tcgetattr(self.fd)
+    def __enter__(self): tty.setcbreak(self.fd); return self
+    def __exit__(self, *_): termios.tcsetattr(self.fd, termios.TCSADRAIN, self.old)
+    def get_key(self):
+        return sys.stdin.read(1) if select.select([sys.stdin],[],[],0)[0] else None
+
+
+def drain_keyboard(kb, ms, controller=None) -> bool:
+    """Process all pending terminal keys this frame (return True to quit)."""
+    quit_requested = False
+    while True:
+        key = kb.get_key()
+        if key is None:
+            break
+        if process_keyboard(key, ms, controller):
+            quit_requested = True
+    return quit_requested
+
+def process_keyboard(key, ms, controller=None):
+    if key is None: return False
+    if key == '\x1b': return True
+    if key == ' ':
+        ms.mode = LM.IDLE; ms.speed = ms.height = -1.0
+        ms.has_movement = False; ms.needs_replan = True
+        if controller: controller.playing = False; controller.reinit_heading = True
+        print("\n  >> EMERGENCY STOP -> IDLE"); return False
+    if key in ('r','R'):
+        ms.needs_replan = True; print("\n  >> Manual replan"); return False
+    if key in ('m','M'):
+        if controller is not None and getattr(controller, "smpl_motion", None) is not None:
+            if controller.encode_mode == 2:
+                controller.encode_mode = 0
+                controller.playing = True; controller.reinit_heading = True
+                ms.needs_replan = True
+                print("\n  >> Motion OFF -> locomotion (mode 0). WASD to drive.")
+            else:
+                controller.encode_mode = 2
+                controller.reinit_heading = True
+                controller.smpl_motion.reset()
+                print("\n  >> Motion ON -> SMPL playback (mode 2)")
+        else:
+            print("\n  >> No motion loaded (start with --motion-file)")
+        return False
+    if key in ('n','N','p','P'):
+        ms.motion_set_idx = (ms.motion_set_idx + (1 if key in ('n','N') else -1)) % len(MOTION_SETS)
+        name, modes = MOTION_SETS[ms.motion_set_idx]
+        print(f"\n  >> Motion set: {name}")
+        [print(f"       {i+1}: {m.name}") for i,m in enumerate(modes)]
+        return False
+    if key.isdigit() and key not in ('9','0'):
+        idx = int(key) - 1; modes = MOTION_SETS[ms.motion_set_idx][1]
+        if 0 <= idx < len(modes):
+            ms.mode = modes[idx]; ms.needs_replan = True
+            if controller: controller.playing = True; controller.reinit_heading = True
+            print(f"\n  >> Mode: {LM(ms.mode).name} ({ms.mode}) [replanning...]")
+        return False
+    if key == '9':
+        ms.speed = max(0.0, (ms.speed if ms.speed>=0 else 1.0) - 0.1)
+        print(f"\n  >> Speed: {ms.speed:.1f}"); return False
+    if key == '0':
+        ms.speed = min(5.0, (ms.speed if ms.speed>=0 else 1.0) + 0.1)
+        print(f"\n  >> Speed: {ms.speed:.1f}"); return False
+    if key == '-':
+        ms.height = max(0.2, (ms.height if ms.height>=0 else DEFAULT_HEIGHT) - 0.02)
+        print(f"\n  >> Height: {ms.height:.2f}"); return False
+    if key == '=':
+        ms.height = min(1.0, (ms.height if ms.height>=0 else DEFAULT_HEIGHT) + 0.02)
+        print(f"\n  >> Height: {ms.height:.2f}"); return False
+    if key.lower() == 'w': ms.movement_angle = ms.facing_angle
+    elif key.lower() == 's': ms.movement_angle = ms.facing_angle + math.pi
+    elif key.lower() == 'a': ms.movement_angle = ms.facing_angle + math.pi/2
+    elif key.lower() == 'd': ms.movement_angle = ms.facing_angle - math.pi/2
+    if key.lower() in ('w','s','a','d'):
+        ms.has_movement = ms.needs_replan = True
+        if controller:
+            controller.playing = True
+        print(f"\n  >> Move {key.upper()} (replanning...)")
+    elif key.lower() == 'q':
+        ms.facing_angle += 0.1
+        if controller: controller.delta_heading += 0.1
+        print(f"\n  >> Facing: {math.degrees(ms.facing_angle):.0f}°")
+    elif key.lower() == 'e':
+        ms.facing_angle -= 0.1
+        if controller: controller.delta_heading -= 0.1
+        print(f"\n  >> Facing: {math.degrees(ms.facing_angle):.0f}°")
+    return False
+
+_joy_prev_active = False
+
+
+def _parse_wireless(wr):
+    """Parse wireless_remote (bytes or int-array) into (lx, ly, rx, ry)."""
+    import struct as _st
+    if not isinstance(wr, (bytes, bytearray)):
+        wr = bytes(wr)
+    if len(wr) < 24:
+        return None
+    lx = _st.unpack("f", wr[4:8])[0]
+    rx = _st.unpack("f", wr[8:12])[0]
+    ry = _st.unpack("f", wr[12:16])[0]
+    ly = _st.unpack("f", wr[20:24])[0]
+    return lx, ly, rx, ry
+
+
+def process_joystick(obs, ms, controller=None):
+    """Joystick mirrors keyboard: left stick=WASD, right stick X=Q/E, right stick Y=height."""
+    global _joy_prev_active
+    wr = obs.get("wireless_remote")
+    if wr is None:
+        return
+    parsed = _parse_wireless(wr)
+    if parsed is None:
+        return
+    lx, ly, rx, ry = parsed
+
+    # Dead zone + negate both Y axes (bridge already flips them once)
+    lx = 0.0 if abs(lx) < DEADZONE else lx
+    ly = 0.0 if abs(ly) < DEADZONE else -ly
+    rx = 0.0 if abs(rx) < DEADZONE else rx
+    ry = 0.0 if abs(ry) < DEADZONE else -ry
+
+    left_active = abs(lx) > 0 or abs(ly) > 0
+
+    # Left stick → WASD (movement direction relative to facing)
+    if left_active:
+        ms.movement_angle = ms.facing_angle + math.atan2(-lx, -ly)
+        ms.has_movement = True
+        if not _joy_prev_active:
+            ms.needs_replan = True
+        _joy_prev_active = True
+    elif _joy_prev_active and not (abs(rx) > 0 or abs(ry) > 0):
+        _joy_prev_active = False
+        ms.has_movement = False
+
+    # Right stick X → Q/E (facing rotation, ~1 rad/s at full deflection)
+    if abs(rx) > 0:
+        delta = -0.02 * rx
+        ms.facing_angle += delta
+        if controller:
+            controller.delta_heading += delta
+
+    # Right stick Y → -/= (height adjustment, ~0.25/s at full deflection)
+    if abs(ry) > 0:
+        step = -0.005 * ry
+        ms.height = max(0.1, min(1.0, (ms.height if ms.height >= 0 else DEFAULT_HEIGHT) + step))

src/lerobot/robots/unitree_g1/controllers/sonic_whole_body.py

@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+# Copyright 2025 The HuggingFace Inc. team. All rights reserved.
+#
+# Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+# you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+# You may obtain a copy of the License at
+#
+#     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+#
+# Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+# distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+# WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+# See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+# limitations under the License.
+
+"""SONIC full-body controller for Unitree G1."""
+
+import logging
+
+import numpy as np
+import onnxruntime as ort
+from huggingface_hub import hf_hub_download
+
+from lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.controllers.sonic_pipeline import (
+    CONTROL_DT,
+    DEBUG_PRINT_EVERY,
+    DEFAULT_ANGLES,
+    ENCODER_UPDATE_EVERY,
+    LM,
+    MOTION_SETS,
+    MovementState,
+    PlannerController,
+    SonicPlanner,
+    clamp_mode_params,
+    compute_kp_kd,
+    lowstate_to_obs,
+    process_joystick,
+    should_replan_request,
+    _ort_providers,
+    _snapshot_ms,
+)
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+class SonicRuntime:
+    """Shared SONIC control loop state (standalone demo + locomotion controller)."""
+
+    def __init__(self, force_cpu: bool = False):
+        planner_path = hf_hub_download(repo_id="nvidia/GEAR-SONIC", filename="planner_sonic.onnx")
+        encoder_path = hf_hub_download(repo_id="nvidia/GEAR-SONIC", filename="model_encoder.onnx")
+        decoder_path = hf_hub_download(repo_id="nvidia/GEAR-SONIC", filename="model_decoder.onnx")
+
+        providers = _ort_providers(force_cpu=force_cpu)
+        self.use_gpu = providers[0] == "CUDAExecutionProvider"
+        so = ort.SessionOptions()
+        so.log_severity_level = 3
+
+        planner_sess = ort.InferenceSession(planner_path, sess_options=so, providers=providers)
+        encoder_sess = ort.InferenceSession(encoder_path, sess_options=so, providers=providers)
+        decoder_sess = ort.InferenceSession(decoder_path, sess_options=so, providers=providers)
+
+        self.kp, self.kd = compute_kp_kd()
+        self.ms = MovementState()
+        self.planner = SonicPlanner(planner_sess, planner_path)
+        self.controller = PlannerController(self.planner, encoder_sess, decoder_sess)
+
+        motion = self.planner.initialize(DEFAULT_ANGLES, self.ms)
+        self.controller.load_initial_motion(motion)
+        self.planner.start_subprocess(self.controller, use_gpu=self.use_gpu)
+
+        self.step = 0
+        self.replan_timer = 0.0
+        self.last_ms = _snapshot_ms(self.ms)
+
+    @property
+    def pipeline(self):
+        return self.controller
+
+    def tick(self, obs: dict, *, debug: bool | None = None, use_joystick: bool = True) -> dict:
+        if not obs:
+            self.step += 1
+            return {}
+
+        if use_joystick:
+            process_joystick(obs, self.ms, self.controller)
+        clamp_mode_params(self.ms)
+
+        if self.step > 0:
+            self.replan_timer += CONTROL_DT
+        if should_replan_request(self.ms, self.last_ms, self.replan_timer, self.step):
+            self.planner.request_replan(self.controller.ref_cursor, self.ms)
+            self.replan_timer = 0.0
+            self.ms.needs_replan = False
+            self.last_ms = _snapshot_ms(self.ms)
+
+        do_enc = self.step % ENCODER_UPDATE_EVERY == 0
+        if debug is None:
+            debug = self.step % DEBUG_PRINT_EVERY == 0
+        action = self.controller.step(obs, update_encoder=do_enc, debug=debug)
+
+        result = self.planner.try_get_new_motion()
+        if result:
+            self.controller.blend_new_motion(*result)
+
+        self.controller.advance_cursor()
+        self.step += 1
+        return action
+
+    def reset(self):
+        self.ms = MovementState()
+        self.controller.reinit_heading = True
+        self.controller.playing = True
+        self.step = 0
+        self.replan_timer = 0.0
+        self.last_ms = _snapshot_ms(self.ms)
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        self.planner.stop_subprocess()
+
+
+class SonicWholeBodyController:
+    """Full-body SONIC controller for UnitreeG1's background controller thread."""
+
+    control_dt = CONTROL_DT
+    full_body = True
+
+    def __init__(self, force_cpu: bool = False):
+        logger.info("Loading SONIC whole-body controller...")
+        self._runtime = SonicRuntime(force_cpu=force_cpu)
+        self.kp = self._runtime.kp
+        self.kd = self._runtime.kd
+        self.controller = self._runtime.controller
+        self.ms = self._runtime.ms
+        logger.info(
+            "SONIC ready: %s (default mode: %s)",
+            MOTION_SETS[0][0],
+            LM(self.ms.mode).name,
+        )
+
+    def run_step(self, action: dict, lowstate) -> dict:
+        if lowstate is None:
+            return {}
+        obs = lowstate_to_obs(lowstate)
+        return self._runtime.tick(obs, debug=False)
+
+    def reset(self):
+        self._runtime.reset()
+
+    def shutdown(self):
+        self._runtime.shutdown()

src/lerobot/robots/unitree_g1/g1_utils.py

@@ -68,8 +68,9 @@ def make_locomotion_controller(name: str | None):
     if name is None:
         return None
     controllers = {
-        "GrootLocomotionController": "lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.gr00t_locomotion",
-        "HolosomaLocomotionController": "lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.holosoma_locomotion",
+        "GrootLocomotionController": "lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.controllers.gr00t_locomotion",
+        "HolosomaLocomotionController": "lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.controllers.holosoma_locomotion",
+        "SonicWholeBodyController": "lerobot.robots.unitree_g1.controllers.sonic_whole_body",
     }
     module_path = controllers.get(name)
     if module_path is None:

src/lerobot/robots/unitree_g1/unitree_g1.py

@@ -338,6 +338,9 @@ class UnitreeG1(Robot):
 
         self.kp = np.array(self.config.kp, dtype=np.float32)
         self.kd = np.array(self.config.kd, dtype=np.float32)
+        if self.controller is not None and hasattr(self.controller, "kp"):
+            self.kp = np.array(self.controller.kp, dtype=np.float32)
+            self.kd = np.array(self.controller.kd, dtype=np.float32)
 
         for joint in G1_29_JointIndex:
             self.msg.motor_cmd[joint].mode = 1
@@ -374,6 +377,9 @@ class UnitreeG1(Robot):
         # Signal thread to stop and unblock any waits
         self._shutdown_event.set()
 
+        if self.controller is not None and hasattr(self.controller, "shutdown"):
+            self.controller.shutdown()
+
         # Wait for subscribe thread to finish
         if self.subscribe_thread is not None:
             self.subscribe_thread.join(timeout=2.0)
@@ -465,9 +471,11 @@ class UnitreeG1(Robot):
     def send_action(self, action: RobotAction) -> RobotAction:
         action_to_publish = action
         if self.controller is not None:
+            self._update_controller_action(action)
+            if getattr(self.controller, "full_body", False):
+                return action
             # Controller thread owns legs/waist. Here we only update joystick inputs
             # and publish arm targets from the teleoperator.
-            self._update_controller_action(action)
             arm_prefixes = tuple(j.name for j in G1_29_JointArmIndex)
             action_to_publish = {
                 key: value

tests/annotations/test_writer.py

@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import pytest
 pytest.importorskip("datasets", reason="datasets is required (install lerobot[dataset])")
 pytest.importorskip("pandas", reason="pandas is required (install lerobot[dataset])")
 
+import pandas as pd  # noqa: E402
 import pyarrow.parquet as pq  # noqa: E402
 
 from lerobot.annotations.steerable_pipeline.reader import iter_episodes  # noqa: E402
@@ -344,6 +345,78 @@ def test_annotation_metadata_sync_allows_non_streaming_load(
     assert len(dataset) == 24
 
 
+def _build_packed_dataset(root: Path, episode_lengths: list[int], *, fps: int = 10) -> Path:
+    """Pack several episodes into a single shard (vs build_annotation_dataset's one-per-file),
+    so the writer's rewrite must re-emit one row group per episode instead of collapsing them."""
+    from lerobot.datasets.io_utils import write_tasks
+    from lerobot.utils.io_utils import write_json
+
+    data_dir = root / "data" / "chunk-000"
+    data_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+    episode_index, frame_index, timestamp, task_index, subtask_index = [], [], [], [], []
+    for ep, length in enumerate(episode_lengths):
+        episode_index += [ep] * length
+        frame_index += list(range(length))
+        timestamp += [round(i / fps, 6) for i in range(length)]
+        task_index += [0] * length
+        subtask_index += [0] * length  # legacy column the writer must drop
+    pd.DataFrame(
+        {
+            "episode_index": episode_index,
+            "frame_index": frame_index,
+            "timestamp": timestamp,
+            "task_index": task_index,
+            "subtask_index": subtask_index,
+        }
+    ).to_parquet(data_dir / "file-000.parquet", index=False)
+
+    tasks_df = pd.DataFrame({"task_index": [0]}, index=pd.Index(["do the thing"], name="task"))
+    write_tasks(tasks_df, root)
+    write_json(
+        {"codebase_version": "v3.1", "fps": fps, "features": {}, "total_episodes": len(episode_lengths)},
+        root / "meta" / "info.json",
+    )
+    return root
+
+
+def test_writer_one_row_group_per_episode(tmp_path: Path) -> None:
+    """Rewriting a packed shard must keep one row group per episode, not collapse
+    every episode into a single giant row group."""
+    episode_lengths = [4, 6, 5]  # unequal lengths, all in one shard
+    root = _build_packed_dataset(tmp_path / "ds", episode_lengths)
+    shard = root / "data" / "chunk-000" / "file-000.parquet"
+    assert pq.ParquetFile(shard).metadata.num_row_groups == 1, "fixture should start collapsed"
+
+    staging_dir = tmp_path / "stage"
+    for ep in range(len(episode_lengths)):
+        _stage_episode(
+            staging_dir,
+            ep,
+            plan=[
+                {
+                    "role": "assistant",
+                    "content": f"subtask for ep {ep}",
+                    "style": "subtask",
+                    "timestamp": 0.0,
+                    "tool_calls": None,
+                }
+            ],
+        )
+
+    records = list(iter_episodes(root))
+    LanguageColumnsWriter().write_all(records, staging_dir, root)
+
+    # One row group per episode, with row counts matching the episode lengths.
+    md = pq.ParquetFile(shard).metadata
+    assert md.num_row_groups == len(episode_lengths)
+    assert [md.row_group(i).num_rows for i in range(md.num_row_groups)] == episode_lengths
+    # Language columns are still present after the per-episode rewrite.
+    table = pq.read_table(shard)
+    assert "language_persistent" in table.column_names
+    assert "language_events" in table.column_names
+
+
 def test_speech_atom_shape_matches_plan_spec() -> None:
     atom = speech_atom(2.5, "I'm cleaning up!")
     assert atom["role"] == "assistant"

tests/datasets/test_aggregate.py

@@ -32,6 +32,26 @@ from lerobot.datasets.lerobot_dataset import LeRobotDataset
 from tests.fixtures.constants import DUMMY_REPO_ID
 
 
+def assert_data_shards_one_row_group_per_episode(root):
+    """Every aggregated DATA shard must have exactly one parquet row group per episode."""
+    import pyarrow.parquet as pq
+
+    shards = sorted((root / "data").rglob("*.parquet"))
+    assert shards, f"no data shards found under {root}/data"
+    n_episodes = 0
+    for shard in shards:
+        pf = pq.ParquetFile(shard)
+        episodes = pf.read(columns=["episode_index"]).column("episode_index").to_pylist()
+        assert pf.metadata.num_row_groups == len(set(episodes)), shard
+        for i in range(pf.metadata.num_row_groups):
+            rg_episodes = set(
+                pf.read_row_group(i, columns=["episode_index"]).column("episode_index").to_pylist()
+            )
+            assert len(rg_episodes) == 1, f"{shard} row group {i} spans episodes {rg_episodes}"
+        n_episodes += len(set(episodes))
+    return n_episodes
+
+
 def assert_episode_and_frame_counts(aggr_ds, expected_episodes, expected_frames):
     """Test that total number of episodes and frames are correctly aggregated."""
     assert aggr_ds.num_episodes == expected_episodes, (
@@ -566,6 +586,41 @@ def assert_image_frames_integrity(aggr_ds, ds_0, ds_1):
             )
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("use_videos", [True, False], ids=["video", "image"])
+def test_aggregate_one_row_group_per_episode(tmp_path, lerobot_dataset_factory, use_videos):
+    """Aggregated DATA shards keep one row group per episode (not one collapsed group).
+
+    Covers both the non-image (``df.to_parquet``) and image
+    (``to_parquet_with_hf_images``) write branches, including the merge-into-
+    existing-file branch via a low file-size threshold that forces packing.
+    """
+    ds_0 = lerobot_dataset_factory(
+        root=tmp_path / "rg_0",
+        repo_id=f"{DUMMY_REPO_ID}_rg_0",
+        total_episodes=3,
+        total_frames=60,
+        use_videos=use_videos,
+    )
+    ds_1 = lerobot_dataset_factory(
+        root=tmp_path / "rg_1",
+        repo_id=f"{DUMMY_REPO_ID}_rg_1",
+        total_episodes=4,
+        total_frames=80,
+        use_videos=use_videos,
+    )
+
+    aggr_root = tmp_path / "rg_aggr"
+    aggregate_datasets(
+        repo_ids=[ds_0.repo_id, ds_1.repo_id],
+        roots=[ds_0.root, ds_1.root],
+        aggr_repo_id=f"{DUMMY_REPO_ID}_rg_aggr",
+        aggr_root=aggr_root,
+    )
+
+    n_episodes = assert_data_shards_one_row_group_per_episode(aggr_root)
+    assert n_episodes == ds_0.num_episodes + ds_1.num_episodes
+
+
 def test_aggregate_image_datasets(tmp_path, lerobot_dataset_factory):
     """Test aggregation of image-based datasets preserves HuggingFace Image schema.
 

tests/processor/test_pipeline.py

@@ -2370,14 +2370,32 @@ def test_aggregate_images_when_use_videos_false():
     out = aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features(
         pipeline=rp,
         initial_features={PipelineFeatureType.ACTION: {}, PipelineFeatureType.OBSERVATION: initial},
-        use_videos=False,  # expect "image" dtype
+        use_videos=False,  # images kept, stored as "image" dtype
         patterns=None,
     )
 
     key = f"{OBS_IMAGES}.back"
     key_front = f"{OBS_IMAGES}.front"
-    assert key not in out
-    assert key_front not in out
+    assert key in out
+    assert key_front in out
+    assert out[key]["dtype"] == "image"
+    assert out[key_front]["dtype"] == "image"
+    assert out[key]["shape"] == initial["back"]
+
+
+def test_aggregate_images_excluded():
+    rp = DataProcessorPipeline([AddObservationStateFeatures(add_front_image=True)])
+    initial = {"back": (480, 640, 3)}
+
+    out = aggregate_pipeline_dataset_features(
+        pipeline=rp,
+        initial_features={PipelineFeatureType.ACTION: {}, PipelineFeatureType.OBSERVATION: initial},
+        exclude_images=True,
+        patterns=None,
+    )
+
+    assert f"{OBS_IMAGES}.back" not in out
+    assert f"{OBS_IMAGES}.front" not in out
 
 
 def test_aggregate_images_when_use_videos_true():