Install and Run Lidar on Raspberry Pi and ROS - Linux Ubuntu Mate Solution

#robotics #slam #lidar #perception #perceptron #ros #controltheory #mechatronics #urdf #machinelearning #electricalengineering #automation #industrialrobotics #industrialrobots #Rviz
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Hello everyone, in this robotics, mechatronics, and robot operating system tutorial we explain how to install and use a Lidar in Raspberry Pi. In particular, we are using Slamtec RPLIDAR A1M8, and we are using Raspberry Pi version 4 with 4 gigabytes of RAM.
The operating system installed on Raspberry pi is the Ubuntu MATE Linux version that is installed on top of the Ubuntu 20.04 Server. The Ubuntu MATE Linux distribution is a lightweight version of Ubuntu suitable for computers with limited resources such as Raspberry Pi. We are using ROS version 1 Noetic, and we are running the standard ROS package for this Lidar.
We do teach and do real robotics and not “pen and paper” theoretical robotics:
Here is a tutorial on how to install and run a “low-cost” lidar (Slamtec A1M8) on Raspberry Pi 4 microcontroller. It took me several days to test different Linux distributions in order to figure out which one will NOT clog and overload the Raspberry Pi 4 microcontroller, such that we can run a Robot Operating System (ROS) lidar node. The main issue is that the standard Ubuntu versions (20 and 22) will consume all the Raspberry Pi 4 resources and cannot run ROS smoothly. Consequently, we need to use lightweight Linux distributions.
Issues/Conclusion:
- As the video shows, the combination of Ubuntu Server and Ubuntu Mate will work, and can run the lidar ROS test node.
- I am not able to install ROS on native raspberry Pi OS.
- Standard Ubuntu 20 and 22 will not work.
- I also tested the combination of Ubuntu Server and Xubuntu-desktop and it works.
I also want to try to install Ubuntu an external USB SSD disk, and to run the lidar node from there. Probably, SSD disks are faster than Micro SD cards.

[@aleksandarhaber]

If you need help with your professional engineering problem, or you need to develop new skills in the fields of control, signal processing, embedded systems, programming, optimization, machine learning, robotics, etc., we are here to help. We provide engineering services, as well as tutoring and skill development services. We have significant industry, research, and university-level teaching experience. Describe your problem and we will send you a quote for our services.
Contact: [e-mail]
It takes a significant amount of time and energy to create these free video tutorials. You can support my efforts in this way:
- Buy me a Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/AleksandarHaber
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- You Can also press the Thanks RUclips Dollar button

[@aleksandarhaber]

THIS COMMENT section is NOT a forum, where we provide free answers to your questions. All we can do is to provide these free tutorials. We cannot answer particular questions due to the lack of time and energy, and also, we do NOT provide free consultation.

[@kavyaseeramsetty5620]

Really helpful
Thanks a lot!
This is much effortless compared to ROS 2 foxy

[@aleksandarhaber]

Glad it helped!

[@aleksandarhaber]

THIS COMMENT section is NOT a forum, where we provide free answers to your questions. All we can do is to provide these free tutorials. We cannot answer particular questions due to the lack of time and energy, and also, we do NOT provide free consultation.