When downloading firmware updates for Fairino robots, you'll see two variants of each version: QX and LA. Choosing the wrong one will cause the update to fail silently or create boot issues. Here's how to tell them apart.

QX = QNX (real-time operating system)

  • Used in standard and newer control boxes
  • QNX is a commercial real-time OS — more deterministic motion control, more stable
  • This is what Fairino Europe exclusively sells with their latest hardware revisions
  • Tested in Europe before shipping, English interface, 1 year warranty, technical support and training included
  • Recommended for production environments where reliability matters

LA = Linux (open source)

  • Used in some older or non-European-channel control boxes
  • Standard Linux kernel — more flexible for custom modifications but fewer real-time guarantees
  • Robots purchased directly from China (non-official channels) may have this variant
  • Some very old hardware (2021 era) with Raspberry Pi 4 boards runs Linux

How to check which one you have

In the WebApp, go to System → About. The controller version string will show the suffix:

  • V3.7.78-QX → QNX version
  • V3.7.78-LA → Linux version

Can I switch from one to the other?

No. The hardware determines which firmware variant you need. The QNX and Linux images are built for different system architectures and boot configurations. Installing the wrong one will either fail during upload or brick the controller (recoverable via Web Recovery, but still a hassle).

Buying advice

Fairino Europe (via official distributors) only sells QNX-based systems with the latest hardware revisions. If you're buying through unofficial channels (AliExpress, direct from Chinese factories, etc.), you may get older hardware with Linux firmware, limited English support, and no warranty in Europe. The price difference may not be worth the risk — as one distributor put it: "Buying Fairino cobots on non-official channels is risky."

Reporting bugs

Fairino development only fixes bugs reported on the latest firmware version. Bugs on old versions (especially LA variants) will not be addressed. If you're on an old version and hit issues, the recommended solution is to upgrade to the latest QX release.