**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.
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.
