Installing ROS2 Jazzy on Ubuntu WSL2

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 0 views

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore the process of connecting ROS2 Jazzy on WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) to Webots on Windows without the need for an external controller. This will enable us to control and interact with Webots simulations using ROS2 commands and tools.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure that you have the following:

ROS2 Jazzy installed on Ubuntu WSL2 on Windows 11
Webots installed on Windows 11
WSL2 enabled on your Windows 11 system
ROS2 and Webots properly configured and set up

Installing ROS2 Jazzy on Ubuntu WSL2

To install ROS2 Jazzy on Ubuntu WSL2, follow the instructions found here: . This will guide you through the process of installing ROS2 Jazzy on your Ubuntu WSL2 environment.

Testing the Installation

Once you have installed ROS2 Jazzy, test the installation by running the following command:

ros2 run <package_name> <node_name>

Replace <package_name> and <node_name> with the actual package and node names you want to run. This will verify that ROS2 Jazzy is properly installed and functioning on your Ubuntu WSL2 environment.

Connecting ROS2 Jazzy to Webots

To connect ROS2 Jazzy to Webots, you will need to use the ros2-webots package. This package provides a ROS2 interface to Webots, enabling you to control and interact with Webots simulations using ROS2 commands and tools.

Installing ros2-webots

To install ros2-webots, run the following command:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ros-jazzy-webots

This will install the ros2-webots package and its dependencies on your Ubuntu WSL2 environment.

Configuring ros2-webots

To configure ros2-webots, you will need to create a webots.yaml file. This file contains the configuration settings for ros2-webots, including the Webots simulation settings and the ROS2 node settings.

Create a new file called webots.yaml in the ~/.ros directory:

sudo nano ~/.ros/webots.yaml

Add the following configuration settings to the file:

webots:
  simulation:
    name: my_simulation
    description: My simulation
    world_file: /path/to/world/file.wbt
  ros2:
    node_name: webots_node
    package_name: webots_package

Replace /path/to/world/file.wbt with the actual path to your Webots world file.

Running ros2-webots

To run ros2-webots, use the following command:

ros2 run webots_package webots_node

This will start the ros2-webots node and connect to the Webots simulation.

Interacting with Webots Simulations

Once you have connected to the Webots simulation, you can interact with it using ROS2 commands and tools. For example, you can use the ros2 topic command to publish messages to the Webots simulation:

ros2 topic pub /webots_topic std_msgs/String "Hello, Webots!"

This will publish a message to the Webots simulation with the text "Hello, Webots!".

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we have explored the process of connecting ROS2 Jazzy on WSL to Webots on Windows without the need for an external controller. We have installed ros2-webots, configured it to connect to a Webots simulation, and interacted with the simulation using ROS2 commands and tools. This enables us to control and interact with Webots simulations using ROS2 commands and tools, providing a powerful and flexible way to work with Webots simulations.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while following this tutorial, refer to the following troubleshooting tips:

Check the installation: Ensure that ROS2 Jazzy and ros2-webots are properly installed on your Ubuntu WSL2 environment.
Check the configuration: Verify that the webots.yaml file is correctly configured and contains the necessary settings.
Check the connection: Ensure that the ros2-webots node is properly connected to the Webots simulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about connecting ROS2 Jazzy on WSL to Webots on Windows.

Q: What is the difference between ROS2 Jazzy and ROS2 Foxy?

A: ROS2 Jazzy and ROS2 Foxy are two different versions of the Robot Operating System (ROS2). ROS2 Jazzy is the latest version, while ROS2 Foxy is an older version. The main difference between the two is that ROS2 Jazzy has improved performance, new features, and better support for Webots.

Q: How do I install ROS2 Jazzy on Ubuntu WSL2?

A: To install ROS2 Jazzy on Ubuntu WSL2, follow the instructions found here: . This will guide you through the process of installing ROS2 Jazzy on your Ubuntu WSL2 environment.

Q: What is the ros2-webots package?

A: The ros2-webots package is a ROS2 interface to Webots, enabling you to control and interact with Webots simulations using ROS2 commands and tools.

Q: How do I install ros2-webots?

A: To install ros2-webots, run the following command:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ros-jazzy-webots

This will install the ros2-webots package and its dependencies on your Ubuntu WSL2 environment.

Q: What is the webots.yaml file?

A: The webots.yaml file is a configuration file that contains the settings for ros2-webots, including the Webots simulation settings and the ROS2 node settings.

Q: How do I create a webots.yaml file?

A: To create a webots.yaml file, run the following command:

sudo nano ~/.ros/webots.yaml

Add the necessary configuration settings to the file, and save it.

Q: What are the benefits of using ROS2 Jazzy and Webots?

A: The benefits of using ROS2 Jazzy and Webots include:

Improved performance and efficiency
Better support for Webots simulations
Ability to control and interact with Webots simulations using ROS2 commands and tools
Ability to integrate Webots simulations with other ROS2 nodes and packages

Q: What are some common issues that may occur when connecting ROS2 Jazzy to Webots?

A: Some common issues that may occur when connecting ROS2 Jazzy to Webots include:

Installation issues with ROS2 Jazzy or ros2-webots
Configuration issues with the webots.yaml file
Connection issues between ROS2 Jazzy and Webots
Issues with the Webots simulation itself

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with ROS2 Jazzy and Webots?

A: To troubleshoot issues with ROS2 Jazzy and Webots, refer to the following troubleshooting tips:

Check the installation: Ensure that ROS2 Jazzy and ros2-webots are properly installed on your Ubuntu WSL2 environment.
Check the configuration: Verify that the webots.yaml file is correctly configured and contains the necessary settings.
Check the connection: Ensure that the ros2-webots node is properly connected to the Webots simulation.

By following these troubleshooting tips, you should be able to resolve any issues and successfully connect ROS2 Jazzy to Webots on Windows.

Conclusion

In this Q&A article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about connecting ROS2 Jazzy on WSL to Webots on Windows. We have covered topics such as installation, configuration, and troubleshooting, and provided tips and best practices for working with ROS2 Jazzy and Webots.