Getting started with ROS 2

ROS 2 is the practical default for new robot software stacks. This guide explains what to learn first and which curated resources on this site support each stage.

By Akshet Patel · Updated 2026-07-29

Direct answer

What is ROS 2 and who should learn it?

ROS 2 is middleware for building robot applications as a graph of communicating processes. Learn it if you want reusable packages, simulation integration and a pathway into modern mobile robotics or manipulation stacks.

First steps

Install a supported Linux environment and follow an official or well-maintained Humble installation guide.
Learn the graph model: nodes, topics, services and parameters.
Run beginner tutorials until you can create a package and launch communicating nodes.
Connect the same workflow to a simulator such as Gazebo or Webots.
Only then attempt a full autonomy or manipulation stack.

Curated resources for this path

ROS 2 tutorials and playlists
University ROS materials for complementary theory
Simulators for Gazebo, Webots, Isaac Sim and more
Open-source projects that demonstrate complete stacks