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Luma P1 Flashing Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for flashing the latest PhotonVision image onto your Luma P1 camera.

Before You Begin

Complete all steps on the Prerequisites page before proceeding.

What Is Flashing?

Flashing is the process of connecting your device to a computer and using a specialized tool to write an image file (the latest release of PhotonVision) to the device's internal storage. This will overwrite the existing firmware and calibration data on the device.

Preserving Calibration Data

If updating a previously calibrated Luma P1 to a newer PhotonVision version, use the Offline Update feature in PhotonVision rather than flashing the operating system. This approach preserves your calibration settings. (Offline Update documentation coming soon.)

Required Materials

  • Luma P1 camera
  • USB-C cable
  • Programming laptop with prerequisites installed
  • Tape or labels (to mark flashed cameras)

Flashing Procedure

Step 1: Enter Flash Mode

  1. Connect the USB-A end of your cable to your computer.
  2. Connect the USB-C end to the USB-C flash port on the Luma P1.

  3. Run the RPIBoot tool to mount the Luma P1 as a USB mass-storage device:

    Search for "cm5" in the Windows Start Menu, then run:

    rpiboot-CM4-CM5 - Mass Storage Gadget

    Run rpiboot from the terminal according to the RPIBoot documentation.

  4. Wait until the application says you can press any key to close—press Enter.

  5. The Luma is now in flash mode ✅ The Luma P1 is now in flash mode.

Do NOT Unplug

Do not unplug the Luma P1 while it is in flash mode. Unplugging it will exit flash mode and you will need to start over from Step 1.

Step 2: Flash with Raspberry Pi Imager

  1. Open Raspberry Pi Imager.
  2. Work through each menu in order. For every menu, scroll to the bottom and select the last option (no filtering, custom config, etc.).
  3. When prompted for a custom image, select the PhotonVision image for Luma P1 that you downloaded earlier.
  4. When you reach the step for selecting a drive to flash to, pause and read the next warning carefully.

System Drives — Critical Warning

Ensure the "Show system drives" toggle is OFF.

Do NOT enable "Show system drives." Do NOT touch that toggle.

A device named mmcblk0 should appear in the list—this is the Luma P1's internal storage. Select mmcblk0.

  1. When prompted to confirm that you want to erase everything on mmcblk0, press OK.
  2. Wait for the flash to complete. The imager will notify you when the camera is successfully flashed.

Step 3: Mark and Unplug

  1. Mark the Luma P1 with tape or a label to indicate it has been flashed.
  2. Disconnect the Luma P1 from your computer.

Flashing Multiple Cameras

If you have more than one Luma P1 to flash, do not close Raspberry Pi Imager after flashing the first one.

  1. Unplug the flashed Luma (mark it with tape first).
  2. Repeat Step 1 above with the next Luma to put it into flash mode.
  3. Switch back to Raspberry Pi Imager—you will see a "Flash Another" button.
  4. Click "Flash Another" and flash the new Luma.
  5. Mark it as flashed and repeat for any remaining cameras.

Troubleshooting

For common flashing issues, see the Troubleshooting Guide.

Next Steps

Once all your cameras are flashed, proceed to the Calibration Guide.