All possible way to communicate with VESC motor driver

How to communicate with VESC using USB| Python | UART|ESP32| Arduino |C++| 

Communicating with a VESC (Vedder Electronic Speed Controller) can be done through USB or UART, depending on your platform and use case. USB communication is typically used when interfacing with a PC or Raspberry Pi using tools like the VESC Tool or Python scripts. This method is ideal for configuration, monitoring, and testing, as it allows direct access to the VESC's features with minimal wiring—just a USB cable.


For embedded systems like ESP32 or Arduino, UART is the preferred communication method. It involves connecting the VESC’s TX and RX pins to the microcontroller’s UART interface, enabling real-time data exchange and motor control. ESP32 is particularly suited for this due to its multiple hardware serial ports and 3.3V logic, which matches the VESC. When using Arduino (especially 5V boards), a voltage level shifter is recommended to avoid damaging the VESC’s UART.


Each method has its strengths: USB is quick to set up and great for development, while UART is lightweight and perfect for onboard control in robotics or electric vehicle projects.

1. Communication Protocol: VESC UART and VESC USB

VESC uses a custom communication protocol built on packet-based UART serial data. Whether you're using USB or UART, the core protocol is the same, just the transport method changes.
For USB, the VESC appears as a serial device (e.g., /dev/ttyUSB0 on Linux or COMx on Windows), and for UART, you connect directly to the serial pins on the VESC hardware.

2. USB Communication (PC, Raspberry Pi, Jetson, etc.)

This method is ideal for:

  • Initial configuration

  • Live telemetry

  • Data logging

  • Development & tuning

Python + USB Example:

You can use the pyvesc library to interface with the VESC via USB.

from pyvesc.VESC import VESC
import serial

ser = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyUSB0', baudrate=115200, timeout=0.1)
vesc = VESC(serial_port=ser)

# Read RPM
rpm = vesc.get_measurements().rpm
print("RPM:", rpm)

# Set motor duty cycle
vesc.set_duty_cycle(0.3)

3. UART Communication (ESP32, Arduino, STM32, etc.)

This method is perfect for real-time motor control in embedded systems—such as robotics, drones, electric skateboards, or autonomous rovers.

Hardware Wiring:

  • ESP32: Connect VESC TX to ESP32 RX, and VESC RX to ESP32 TX.

  • Arduino Uno/Nano: Use a logic level shifter if you're using a 5V board to drop signals to 3.3V.

  • Baud Rate: Default is 115200. Make sure to configure the same baud in VESC Tool under App Settings > UART.

4. Arduino (Uno, Mega) + VESC

For Arduino boards without multiple hardware serial ports:

  • Use SoftwareSerial, but it's less reliable at 115200 baud.

  • Prefer boards like Arduino Mega or ESP32 which offer hardware serial.

Always start with read-only operations (like reading RPM, voltage) to ensure communication is successful before issuing motor commands.

Use proper electrical isolation if VESC and microcontroller don’t share the same power ground.

Be cautious when writing to VESC flash or changing critical settings through serial—misconfiguration may soft-brick the controller.


Important links:

1.PYVesc:

https://github.com/LiamBindle/PyVESC

3.VESC UART:

https://github.com/SolidGeek/VescUart