**Ubuntu Core** is a special edition of Ubuntu designed by Canonical for **embedded, IoT, and production robotics**. Unlike classic Ubuntu Server/Desktop, Ubuntu Core has an architecture entirely based on **snap packages** — the system base (`core22`, `core24`), kernel (`pc-kernel`, `pi-kernel`), bootloader, and applications are all independent snaps with atomic updates and transactional rollback.
**Key properties**: (1) **Immutable rootfs** — system files are read-only, with modifications only via snap install/refresh. Eliminates the 'state drift' typical of long-running embedded devices. (2) **Secure Boot + Full Disk Encryption** — a verified boot chain from UEFI/bootloader through the kernel snap to app snaps; TPM-based key sealing. (3) **Automatic Updates** with transactional rollback — if an update breaks boot, Ubuntu Core automatically reverts to the previous version. (4) **Snap Confinement** — each application in a sandboxed namespace with fine-grained permissions (cgroups, AppArmor, seccomp). (5) **10-year LTS** — Ubuntu Core 22 supported until 2032, Ubuntu Core 24 until 2034 (with Ubuntu Pro).
**For robotics**: Ubuntu Core is a native target for **ROS 2 snap packages** — Open Robotics provides official `ros-humble-*`, `ros-jazzy-*` snaps that run on Ubuntu Core without modifications. The Boston Dynamics Spot CORE I/O (since 2023) uses Ubuntu Core 22 as the base OS for third-party payloads. Robotnik and Clearpath Robotics ship robots with pre-installed Ubuntu Core for production deployments. **Hardware support**: x86-64 (Intel/AMD), arm64 (Raspberry Pi 5, NVIDIA Jetson, Qualcomm RB5/RB6, Apple M-series via UTM), Allwinner, Rockchip RK3588. Minimum ~512 MB RAM, ~2 GB storage.
**Storefront**: The Snap Store (snapcraft.io) hosts >25,000 snap packages, including a dedicated 'Robotics' category with ~600 publications (ROS distros, OpenCV, Foxglove, camera calibration, drivers).
General-purpose or robotics-specialized operating system — Ubuntu, Ubuntu Core, ROS-aware distributions. Provides the platform for middleware, runtime, and robotic applications.
A Runtime is the environment or execution layer used to run code, load libraries, manage dependencies, and operate applications or services — either in real time or during normal system operation. In robotics this includes real-time operating system (RTOS) runtimes, ROS 2 executor runtimes, containerised execution environments (Docker, podman), and embedded C++ runtimes on microcontrollers.
Middleware is a software layer that mediates between applications, services, sensors, drivers, and execution layers. In robotics, middleware is typically responsible for inter-process communication, message passing, hardware abstraction, and module integration within a single system. The most widely used robotics middleware is ROS (Robot Operating System), which provides a publish-subscribe message bus, service calls, and a rich ecosystem of packages.
Robot Control denotes the role of software responsible for motion control, command execution, coordination of actuating elements and the direct operational logic of the robot.
The Ubuntu distribution family — Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Core, snap packaging. The de facto hosting standard for ROS 2 and most Linux-based robotics.
**Boston Dynamics Spot CORE I/O** (since 2023) — Ubuntu Core 22 as the base OS for third-party payloads. **Clearpath Robotics Husky AMP** (since 2024) — factory installation of Ubuntu Core 24 + ROS 2 Jazzy snaps. **Robotnik RB-Vogui** uses Ubuntu Core for autonomous service robots in hospitals (NHS UK, deployment 2024). **Dell Edge Gateway** + Ubuntu Core in industrial automation (PLC integration). **AWS Greengrass + RoboMaker** recommends Ubuntu Core as the preferred edge OS. **Tesla internally** uses Ubuntu Core for some compute modules in Optimus (factory pilot lines, not officially confirmed).
Snap Store: ~25,000 snap packages, ~600 in the Robotics category. Active Ubuntu Core deployments (telemetry, Q1 2026): ~1.2M devices globally (Canonical report 2025). Ubuntu Robotics Forum (discourse.ubuntu.com/c/robotics) ~3,500 threads. Canonical Ubuntu Robotics newsletter ~12,000 subscribers.
Ubuntu Core — a minimal, immutable, transactional version of Ubuntu built entirely from snap packages. Dedicated to embedded and IoT/robotics devices.
Images available at ubuntu.com/download/core for x86-64 (Intel NUC, generic UEFI), Raspberry Pi (2-5), Jetson Nano/Xavier/Orin, Qualcomm RB5/RB6. Build custom images for OEMs via the `ubuntu-image` tool (Canonical) + a signed model assertion. Pricing: free for development; Ubuntu Pro from $25/year/device for extended LTS + security.
License family: Strong Copyleft
License family: Permissive
Latest stable version. LTS until 2034 (with Ubuntu Pro). Native ROS 2 Jazzy snap support, NVIDIA Jetson Orin first-class support, real-time kernel GA.
LTS until 2032. Real-time kernel snap (beta). Native ROS 2 Humble snap support.
Full disk encryption + TPM-based secure boot. Ubuntu Pro integration.
Restructured to the snap base + kernel + gadget pattern. First production version with the Snap Store.
First public version as 'Snappy Ubuntu Core' — concept of immutable + transactional updates for IoT.
