Skip to main content

Installing the ITCH Application

Prerequisites​

Check Windows Version​

The ITCH Application requires Windows 10, version 1709 or later .

The image below shows where you can check your windows version within your computer settings.

Settings -> System -> About

Find Windows Version

Figure 1 - Windows settings window

Enable Sideloading​

Sideloading must be enabled to install the application. Once the application is installed, you can change it back to its previous setting if desired.

You can check if sideloading is enabled by going to the following page within your computer settings:

Settings -> Update & Security -> For Developers

Enable Sideloading

Figure 2 - Enable sideloading window

Download the installation package​

The installation files for the latest version of the ITCH Application can be found here

There are three types of installation files available:

  • Download .appxbundle for the simplest installation method.
  • Download the .zip package if you are having issues installing using the .appxbundle or .appx files.

Installing the Application​

. Appxbundle / . Appx approach​

Double click the downloaded ITCH-Application-vX. X.appxbundle or .appx file and click install. The application should automatically launch when the installation is complete.

Installation Screen

Figure 3 - Application installation window

What should I do if I'm not able to open the downloaded .appxbundle or .appx file?

  • Check if you are using a compatible windows version. The application doesn't work on older versions of Windows.
  • Try to change the file ending from .appxbundle to .zip and open the file as a zip file. Double click on the .....x64.appx or .....x86.appx file depending on your computer architecture
  • Make sure your computer allows sideloading applications

    • What should i do if the installation fails and complains about a missing dependency?

    Download the .zip package from the downloads page and install using the zip package approach described below.

    What should i do if the installation crashes during the installation?

    Download the .zip package from the downloads page and install using the zip package approach described below.

    What should i do if the installer complains about a missing / invalid / unknown certificate?

    Download the .zip package from the downloads page and install using the zip package approach described below.

    Zip package approach​

    If you are having issues with the installation, you can try to install using the zip package approach.

    Please put your computer into "Developer Mode" in the same settings window as you enabled sideloading described above.

    Unzip the folder and run "Install.ps1" as a powershell script by right clicking the file and selecting "Run with PowerShell" as shown in the image below. Follow the promts that appear.

    If you don't have powershell installed on your computer, you can download it from here

    Script Installation

    Figure 4 - Zip file installation method

    When complete, the ITCH application should be installed on your computer and can found in the start menu.

    Command line approach (System administrators)​

    The application can be installed using the command line and a supplied batch script. Download the zip file and extract the content.

    By running "SilentInstall.bat" the application will install along with the necessary dependencies. The script will also install the required certificate and create the settings file. Provide the desired path for downloading log files as a string argument to the .bat script.

    • Download zip file and extract content
    • Run "SilentInstall.bat" in command prompt with administrator privileges.
    • SilentInstall.bat "C:\Users\someUser\Desktop" will make "someUser's" desktop the default location.

    Note: The default file location can later be changed in the applications data folder.

    Open %AppData%\LocalState\settings.txt and change the first line to the desired location. %AppData% is the applications data folder. Usually located at C:\Windows\Users\someUser\AppData\Local\Packages\ITCH_App*..

    First use of Application​

    When the application is started for the first time, it will check for file system access. This is necessary for saving the log files from the robot. If the application does not have the necessary privileges, a dialogue will show guiding the user to set the correct settings. Press "Ok" when asked to give "File System Access" permission.

    File System Access

    Figure 5 - File System Access Prompt

    A settings window will appear where the user needs to set the "File System" app permission to "On"

    File System Settings window

    Figure 5 - File System Access Settings window

    Note! The application will close once a setting is changed. This is to be expected. Simply open the application again. If the permission was set correctly, the "File System Access" dialogue will not show.

    Updating The Software​

    To update the software, download and open the .appxbundle installation file as described above. Then press update and the updated ITCH Application will get installed and replace the old version.

    Update Screen

    Figure 5 - Application update window

    Updating The Firmware on the Robot​

    The firmware on the Robot can be updated using the ITCH Application. You can check if you have the latest version by comparing the version displayed within the connect window in the application with the latest version available on our website.

    1. Within the connect page in the ITCH application after connecting to your Robot, note down what hardware and software firmware version you have.

    2. Go to our downloads webpage and download the latest firmware file that matches to your hardware version.

    3. Turn the Robot into firmware update mode by holding the switch in the on position for at least 10 seconds when powering it on. When the status light has gone blue you can release the switch.

    4. Reconnect to the Robot with the ITCH Application, when connected, the window shown in figure 6 should appear.

    5. Click the "Update Firmware" button and select the firmware file downloaded from our website.

    6. Once the update is complete, the Robot should restart and the status light should go green.

    7. The window should update and show information about the robot. Press reload and check that the firmware version has updated.

    Troubleshooting:​

    What should I do if the application hangs during firmware upload?

    Wait 20 seconds more, if nothing happens, turn the Robot off, restart application and reconnect to the Robot.

    What should I do if the status light remains blue after uploading new firmware

    Restart Robot. If still blue, try to reupload the firmware. If this doesn't help, please contact support@shipshave.no for further help.

    ITCH Device Information

    Figure 6 - Firmware update window