VESC Update 6.0 Brings Big Changes for Usability
Little FOCer v3.1 VESC based controller.
New VESC Firmware
When I built my first VESC onewheel over the summer, the interface was a jumbled mess of confusing parameters. The best way to learn everything was to reference a myriad of Google Sheets, YouTube videos, and Discord threads. But in the end, I’m really glad I slogged through it all, because the final result is amazing.
With the latest update to the VESC firmware and the corresponding VESC Tool, newcomers hopefully won’t have to work quite as hard. Developers Mitch Lustig and SurfDado have been working hard to fine tune the firmware and to bring us features that make the open-source ride feel so great. With 6.0, Nico Aleman has contributed his time to the cause by porting SurfDado’s features into the new Float Package. Aleman explains it best, so I’m reposting his announcement here with his permission.
From Aleman’s post on Facebook and the Onewheel VESC Builders group:
Some of you may have heard rumblings about it over the last few weeks, and it's finally here. VESC Tool and VESC FW 6.0 have officially gone live for Android, Windows, and Linux, and with it comes the release of the brand new "Float" Package! iOS is being submitted, and macOS is getting finished up, so those should hopefully be shortly behind.This newest update brings with it many new changes, the biggest of which being that the Balance App has been moved over to a new feature called VESC Packages. This allows package updates with ease through VESCTool's "Package Store," no firmware update needed, along with custom UI, XML saving/loading from mobile, writing changes with the board still engaged, and the freedom for other developers to create custom packages with their own parameters and functionality.Taking advantage of this, we have ported all the features from Dado’s ATR Firmware into the “Float Package,” which is tailored specifically for Onewheel application, and features removed unneeded parameters, properly named new parameters and features, usable default/min/max values, informative Help text(!!), and more! And if you prefer the feel of the Stable firmware and Torque Tiltback over Adaptive Torque Response, you can run that as well, while still taking advantage of ATR's other features, or even run Torque Tilt and ATR simultaneously!And of course, the original Balance Package is still available if you so choose, and offers a broader range of acceptable values for parameters for those getting more experimental with unique setups! Be sure to check it out if you feel it better suits your needs.This update brings a lot to the table in terms of improving both the potential for feature development, as well as the learning curve to understanding the different parameters and features, and sets us up for making VESC Onewheels much more capable AND accessible. I can't wait for you guys to check things out for yourselves and hear your thoughts.I've attached a guide below on making the move over to the new update, and will likely make a video guide at some point soon on getting up and running from scratch, including motor setup and going through the AWESOME brand new IMU Wizard that Mitch Lustig has developed. Feel free to leave a comment here or in the PEV.dev article if you have any questions, and enjoy!https://pev.dev/t/how-to-update-to-vesc-fw-6-vesc-tool-6/454
But What is VESC?
If you are new to VESC and the DIY scene, you probably have a lot of questions. I recommend checking out Mario Contino’s excellent primer:
Then check out https://pev.dev for build guides and how-tos.
If you decide to dive in, join the VESCify Discord server: https://discord.gg/pdqXQy9TPN. And join us on the Onewheel VESC Builders Facebook group.
