qcROS2: An Architecture to Secure Network Communication of ROS2-based Environment

This paper reveals the network security vulnerabilities of applications utilizing the Robot Operating System 2 (ROS2) and presents a novel solution through the integration of quantum cryptography. Our investigation disclosed that data messages within the ROS2 ecosystem are currently transmitted in plain text, rendering them susceptible to security breaches. This exposure represents a significant concern for robots operating in sensitive sectors such as military, defense, healthcare, and industry. We propose the qcROS2 architecture, a unique framework that secures the network security of ROS2 applications by using quantum cryptography for data message encryption. The architecture is founded on the BB84 protocol, instrumental in constructing secure quantum pipelines for the transmission of data messages from ROS2 nodes. Despite its robustness, the qcROS2 architecture has specific limitations, which are thoroughly examined in the paper. These limitations, coupled with the rapid development of quantum technologies, led to the direction of future research and evolution of the architecture.