How to deploy ROS2 nodes on Windows 10

After developing a node within a Windows 10 dev environnment (using ROS2 binaries), is there a way to generate a self-contained / redistributable / portable version of the node that can be deployed to other PCs (even if that is just copy & pasting the folder)? Ideally without requiring separate installation of dependencies such as Visual C++ redistributables or Python 3.

I can't find any examples of anyone doing this so wonder if I am missing something obvious!

Thanks

Asked by rokel_race on 2021-07-21 09:46:43 UTC

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Answers

The answer seems to be "you can't". The binary distribution of ROS2 on windows depends on various C++ redistributables, plus seems to have the path of Python3 hardcoded in. There's no obvious way to make that portable, or generate any kind of bundle / installer for distribution to another system.

So I think it's fair to say that currently there is no way to deploy a native Windows ROS2 application.

Asked by rokel_race on 2021-07-29 02:35:59 UTC

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I'd guess @OoeyGUI could have some input here, but I'm sort-of expecting what you found to be the current state of things.

MS is working on things like vcpkg, wix and other installer technology in the ROS 2 context. Perhaps that could offer something.

Asked by gvdhoorn on 2021-07-29 03:26:33 UTC