vns-sdk setup

In this step, we install Cyclops on the Raspberry Pi. Complete the Ubuntu and hardware setup steps first. This step requires internet on the Pi.

Before you start, make sure to have:

• Internet connection on the Pi

• Theseus account email and password for license activation

• Serial device to flight controller with known port and baud rate

• Recording storage directory you want to use

Open a terminal on the Pi, either locally or through SSH, and run:

# download and install Cyclops
curl -fsSL https://packages.theseus.us/install.sh | sudo bash

Enter your Theseus account email and password when prompted. The installer checks the OS and architecture, downloads the current main-channel Cyclops release and its dependencies, verifies the Theseus package signatures, and installs the packages. Downloads happen on the Pi, so it needs internet access throughout installation.

When asked whether to configure your device, enter y. Supply your recording-storage directory, flight-controller serial device, and supported baud rate.

On a Pi 5 configured using the preceding UART instructions, the serial device is normally /dev/ttyAMA0. Use the device path verified during hardware setup. The baud rate must match the flight controller.

You can inspect the resulting configuration with:

vns-config show

Many flight controllers do not support higher baud rates. Ensure your serial baud rate is supported by your flight controller.

If HTTPS requests fail because a certificate is “not yet valid,” check the Pi’s date and time:

timedatectl status
sudo timedatectl set-ntp true

Confirm that the clock synchronizes. If automatic synchronization is unavailable, set the actual current date and time, then retry installation.

After installation, the installer asks whether to activate a license on this device. Enter y to attempt activation using the account you already authenticated with.

Successful installation does not mean the device license is activated. If you skip activation or it fails, activate later with:

cyclops_exe --activate-license

Check license status with:

cyclops_exe --license-info

Reboot the Pi after installation:

sudo reboot

Reconnect through SSH or Vozilla, then complete camera configuration, vehicle configuration, map setup, and bench validation before flight.