Key Points
- ROS Noetic Ninjemys has reached its end of life (EOL) as of May 2025, affecting developers and businesses using it on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS.
- Canonical’s ROS ESM service now includes Noetic, providing ongoing security updates and critical fixes for ROS packages.
- Developers can continue using EOL ROS distributions like Noetic, Kinetic, Melodic, and Foxy, with backported CVE patches, bug fixes, and essential updates.
The Robot Operating System (ROS) has been a crucial part of the developer community, especially for those building on Ubuntu. As of May 2025, ROS Noetic Ninjemys has officially reached its end of life (EOL). This change can be concerning for developers and businesses that rely on ROS Noetic for their mission-critical systems, as it may impact security, stability, and ongoing maintenance.
Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, has stepped in to address these concerns. They have added Noetic to its ROS ESM (Extended Security Maintenance) service, which ensures that developers can continue to use EOL ROS distributions with confidence. This service provides ongoing security updates and critical fixes for ROS packages, giving developers peace of mind when it comes to the security and stability of their systems.
The inclusion of Noetic in ROS ESM is significant, as it allows developers to continue using a widely adopted ROS distribution. With over 800 repositories in rosdistro, ROS Noetic remains one of the most widely used ROS distributions. By extending its support through ROS ESM, Canonical is ensuring that developers can keep using the tools they know and love, without worrying about the risks associated with using an unsupported distribution.
ROS ESM is designed to deliver backported CVE patches, bug fixes, and essential updates aligned with Canonical’s long-term maintenance standards. This means that developers can expect the same level of quality and reliability that they have come to trust from Canonical. By providing ongoing support for EOL ROS distributions like Noetic, Kinetic, Melodic, and Foxy, Canonical is demonstrating its commitment to the ROS community.
As the ROS ecosystem continues to evolve, it’s essential for developers to stay up-to-date with the latest developments and support options. With Canonical’s ROS ESM service, developers can confidently build and maintain their systems, knowing that they have access to ongoing security updates and critical fixes. Whether you’re building a new project or maintaining an existing one, consider exploring Canonical’s ROS ESM service to ensure the long-term security and stability of your systems.
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