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Starting and Operating with the RC

Use the pictured transmitter to drive the PX4-equipped SVEA. RC driving works without ROS.

Controls

RC transmitter with mode switch circled red and arm button marked green

  • Steering wheel: steer.
  • Trigger: throttle; release to neutral.
  • Green-marked button (SWD): arm (enable driving).
  • Red-circled switch (SWB): middle = RC driving; right = kill; left = ROS control.

Start

  1. Release the throttle, set the red-circled switch to kill, then turn on the RC.

  2. Connect the vehicle battery. Press and hold the blue power button until the lights turn on, go off, and turn on again. Then release the button.

    Blue vehicle power button

  3. Move the red-circled switch to the middle for RC driving.

  4. Press the green-marked button to arm (enable driving). You may need to press and hold until the servos stay on; this should be audible.

  5. On first bringup, turn on the ESC: briefly hold its EZ-Set button until it lights up, then release.

    Traxxas XL-5 ESC with the EZ-Set button on the front

  6. Use the trigger to drive and the wheel to steer.

Stop

Move the red-circled switch to kill (right), or turn off the remote.

Shut down

  1. Move the red-circled switch to kill.
  2. Shut down the onboard computer normally, if running.
  3. Turn off vehicle power and disconnect the battery.
  4. Turn off the RC last.

Kill does not disconnect the battery. Disconnect power before handling wiring or the drivetrain.

For setup and troubleshooting, see the firmware RC guide.