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4.3 FAQ and Downloads

Download links, package contents, and frequently asked questions for Kikobot C2 software.

1. Download package (official)​

Base URL: https://www.kikobot.com/downloads/ — update filenames and checksums when you ship new builds.

1.1 PC software (required)​

PackageFileDownloadSHA-256
ROS backendkikobot-backend_1.0.0_amd64.debDownload .deb(publish on release)
Kikobot Studiokikobot-studio_1.0.0_amd64.AppImageDownload AppImage(publish on release)

Prerequisite: ROS 2 Humble on Ubuntu 22.04 (not bundled in the .deb).

1.2 Included with backend (no extra download)​

ContentInstalled location
C2 UART firmware/opt/kikobot/share/c2/kikobot_uart_with_gripper_loop.py
Waypoint / motion helpers/opt/kikobot/share/c2/ (e.g. move_joints.py)
WebSocket API PDF/opt/kikobot/share/doc/WEBSOCKET_INTEGRATION_GUIDE.pdf
Example WebSocket client/opt/kikobot/share/examples/kikobot_ws_client_example.py
Client install notes/opt/kikobot/CLIENT_INSTALL.txt

1.3 Optional integrator assets​

ItemSourceUse
Headless Docker workflow[Headless Docker](/docs/Kikobot C2/4.4 Headless Docker Workflow)Factory cells without Studio
ros-humble-web-video-serveraptCamera port 8081

1.4 Website documentation​

DocLink
Installation[Kikobot C2 installation](/docs/Kikobot C2/4.1 Installation and Integration)
API / ROS[Kikobot C2 software and API](/docs/Kikobot C2/4.2 Software API and ROS)
IndexDocumentation home

2. Package contents summary​

kikobot-backend_1.0.0_amd64.deb​

  • Full ROS 2 runtime for C1 and C2 under /opt/kikobot/ros
  • CLI: kikobot-backend, kikobot-verify-backend, kikobot-install-backend
  • systemd template: kikobot-backend@c2
  • WebSocket bridge on TCP 8080
  • C2 firmware and tooling under /opt/kikobot/share/c2/

kikobot-studio_1.0.0_amd64.AppImage​

  • Operator UI for C2 (and C1 when selected)
  • Optional auto-start of backend
  • Does not replace .deb on the robot PC for production integrators (many sites install .deb only)

3. Quick start​

sudo apt install -y ros-humble-desktop libfuse2
sudo dpkg -i kikobot-backend_1.0.0_amd64.deb
kikobot-verify-backend
kikobot-backend c2
# In another terminal or from your app:
python3 /opt/kikobot/share/examples/kikobot_ws_client_example.py --host 127.0.0.1 status

Studio:

chmod +x kikobot-studio_1.0.0_amd64.AppImage
./kikobot-studio_1.0.0_amd64.AppImage

4. Frequently asked questions​

Downloads & licensing​

Q: Are C1 and C2 downloads different?
A: The same .deb and AppImage support both robots. Use kikobot-backend c2 or select C2 in Studio.

Q: Do I need the AppImage for automation?
A: No. Install the .deb, run kikobot-backend c2, integrate on port 8080.

Q: Where do I get newer versions?
A: From the Kikobot downloads page; install with sudo kikobot-install-backend <new.deb>.

Hardware​

Q: Which serial port for C2?
A: Often /dev/ttyUSB0. Use --list-ports or /dev/serial/by-id/.

Q: Do I flash firmware like C1?
A: C2 UART control runs on the PC via Python (started by start_firmware). No ESP Arduino step for the default C2 package.

Q: Camera does not show in Studio.
A: Ensure camera drivers/node are running, port 8081 reachable, and ros-humble-web-video-server installed.

Software​

Q: What is the C2 home position?
A: Joint degrees: [92.53, 5.93, 102.73, 4.26, 90.07, 105.98].

Q: Can I run backend in Docker?
A: Yes — pass USB device, map port 8080, set KIKOBOT_HEADLESS=1. See headless workflow doc.

Q: Why does motion fail with joint limit errors?
A: Waypoints may be for a different robot model or exceed limits. Stay inside planner limits (e.g. ±125° on J2 with margin).

Q: Multiple clients on 8080?
A: Supported. All receive telemetry; any client can send commands — secure the network.

Q: Is WebSocket encrypted?
A: Not by default. Use VPN or SSH -L 8080:localhost:8080 for remote access.

Operations​

Q: How do I run at boot?
A: sudo systemctl enable --now kikobot-backend@c2

Q: Where are logs?
A: /tmp/kikobot_c2_display.log, /tmp/kikobot_websocket.log, /tmp/kikobot_firmware.log

Q: Backend already running when I start Studio?
A: Supported. Connect UI to existing ws://host:8080. Only one kikobot-backend c2 instance at a time.

Q: How do I stop firmware safely?
A: WebSocket { "type": "stop_firmware" } or stop the backend with Ctrl+C / systemd stop.

Support bundle​

When contacting support, include:

  • kikobot-backend version (dpkg -l kikobot-backend)
  • Ubuntu and ROS versions
  • Serial port path
  • Excerpt of /tmp/kikobot_websocket.log and /tmp/kikobot_firmware.log
  • Whether integration is Studio, custom WebSocket, or Docker

5. Version history​

VersionDateNotes
1.0.0(release date)Unified backend 1.0.0, Studio 1.0.0, WebSocket API on 8080
  • [Installation and Integration](/docs/Kikobot C2/4.1 Installation and Integration)
  • [Software, API and ROS](/docs/Kikobot C2/4.2 Software API and ROS)