If robotics is your thing, you’ve come across ROS (Robot Operating System). This open-source platform has an influence on how developers create robots making the process quicker and more efficient. Now, ROS 2 has entered the scene — a newer version that’s catching everyone’s eye.
What sets ROS 1 and ROS 2 apart? Why should you care?
Let’s simplify it for you.
🤖 What’s ROS All About?
Think of ROS as a toolkit for people who build robots. It offers ready-made software components, so you don’t need to start from zero every time. ROS allows developers to spend more time crafting robot behaviors rather than coding every basic function from scratch.
- ROS 1 hit the scene over ten years ago and became popular with researchers and hobbyists.
- ROS 2 is a complete overhaul built to be more dependable, protected, and fit for robots used in real-world industries.
🚧 The Issue With ROS 1
Many people still use ROS 1, but it has several big problems:
- ❌ It doesn’t work well for real-time systems — it can’t promise quick responses.
- ❌ It lacks strong protection — a major worry if robots connect to the internet.
- ❌ It’s not great for teams using multiple robots at once.
- ❌ It works on Linux — which limits options for Windows or macOS users.
ROS 1 helped spark early progress, but it can’t handle today’s complex robotics challenges.
🚀 Why ROS 2 Stands Out
ROS 2 came about to fix those shortcomings and support cutting-edge uses — from cars that drive themselves to robots in warehouses.
Here’s what makes ROS 2 shine:
✅ Speed When It Counts
ROS 2 uses DDS (Data Distribution Service) to talk, which allows fast dependable messaging — even when every second matters.
🔐 Security From the Ground Up
ROS 2 comes with encryption and ways to check who’s who so people building robots can make them safer from day one.
🤝 Robots Teaming Up
ROS 2 has a bigger impact on communication between multiple robots, which plays a crucial role in automation for places such as factories and hospitals.
💻 Runs on More Systems
Unlike ROS 1, ROS 2 operates on Windows, Linux, and macOS giving more developers and systems access to it.
📦 Improved Organization
ROS 2 boasts better structure and scalability making the management of large and complex robotics systems less challenging.
📊 Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ROS 1 | ROS 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (DDS-based) |
| Security Features | ❌ Basic or None | ✅ Built-in |
| Multi-Robot Support | ⚠️ Limited Workarounds | ✅ Native Support |
| Platform Support | ❌ Mainly Linux | ✅ Cross-platform |
| Designed for Industry | ⚠️ Not really | ✅ Yes |
| Long-Term Support | ❌ Ending Soon | ✅ Active Development |
🧠 Should You Use ROS 2?
If you’re new to robotics or beginning a fresh project, ROS 2 stands out as the smarter option. It offers more reliability enhanced security, and readiness for real-world use cases.
If you’re using ROS 1, it’s time to think about switching to ROS 2. The robotics world is already moving in this direction, and ROS 1 will stop getting updates at some point.
