Proton: A Lightweight Communication Protocol for Embedded Robotics Systems
Proton: A Lightweight Communication Protocol for Embedded Robotics Systems
At ROSCon 2026, Tom Wallis from OTTO by Rockwell Automation presented Proton, a lightweight communication protocol developed to address the need for efficient data exchange between custom embedded boards and modern ROS 2-based systems. Designed with minimal resource usage and transport independence (supporting Ethernet, serial, and potentially CAN), Proton utilizes Protocol Buffers and a signal registry model to simplify application logic on resource-constrained hardware. It includes a ROS 2 bridge for transparent integration, allowing existing autonomy stacks to operate without knowledge of the underlying protocol details. The project aims to reduce overhead in embedded subsystems while maintaining compatibility with evolving robotics software ecosystems.
Clearpath Robotics reports on the presentation of Proton, a lightweight communication protocol designed for embedded robotics systems, emphasizing its transport independence, minimal resource usage, and integration with ROS 2.
Source: Clearpath Robotics — Blog · Read original article ↗
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IMU data frequency
100
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knowledge of each other. Meanwhile, the embedded microcontroller communicates through a far simpler protocol. Benchmark Results To evaluate Proton’s efficiency, the presenter conducted tests using an ESP32 development board and simulated IMU data running at 100 Hz. The protocol was compared against micro-ROS, Zenoh Pico, and EtherNet/IP. Measurements focused on metrics most relevant to embedded systems such as libra
Open source S15
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imately 50% fewer packets required for IMU transmission than the average of all tested protocols. While the presenter emphasized that Proton is not intended to replace DDS, Zenoh, or industrial communication standards, these results suggest significant advantages for simple embedded applications. Proton’s advantages extend beyond performance. It is easy to integrate into an existing embedded system, and its simple ye
Open source S16
knowledge of each other. Meanwhile, the embedded microcontroller communicates through a far simpler protocol. Benchmark Results To evaluate Proton’s efficiency, the presenter conducted tests using an ESP32 development board and simulated IMU data running at 100 Hz. The protocol was compared against micro-ROS, Zenoh Pico, and EtherNet/IP. Measurements focused on metrics most relevant to embedded systems such as libra
Open source S15
Source：Clearpath Robotics — Blog · clearpathrobotics.com