HeRo 2.0

Software guide

Flash firmware

Step 2 of 4. The sketch lives in hero_firmware/firmware and targets the ESP8266. You need the Arduino IDE (or PlatformIO) and the Silicon Labs USB-UART driver.

1. Arduino and USB driver

Install the latest Arduino IDE from the Arduino website.

The USB-UART chip needs the Silicon Labs VCP driver for your OS. Linux often already has it.

2. ESP8266 board package

Open File → Preferences.

  • Set the sketchbook location to the firmware folder in this repo.
  • Add this URL to Additional Boards Manager URLs: http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
  • Restart the IDE.

Arduino preferences

Then Tools → Boards → Boards Manager, install esp8266 version 2.5.0.

Boards Manager

Select NodeMCU 1.0 and match the other Tools settings in this screenshot.

Board settings

3. Upload the sketch

Open the robot sketch from the sketchbook.

Open sketch

Static defaults live in config.h (Wi‑Fi, ROS master, robot id). Prefer the web configurator in the next step for network name and robot id — do not bake those into the sketch unless you have to.

config.h

Connect HeRo over USB and upload.

Upload