# First Start

> Confirm the robot is assembled, start the motion-control firmware for the first time and check that it came up healthy.

- Page: https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/setup/first-start
- Section: Asimov › Asimov 1 › Operate Asimov 1
- Previous: [Calibrate Actuators](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/setup/calibrate-actuators.md)
- Next: [Power On and Off](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/power.md)

Two steps remain, and they are deliberately separate: **confirming assembly** records the robot as built, and **starting the firmware** powers its actuators.

## Before You Start

- All **25 of 25** actuators respond without faults, and every joint is calibrated at the confirmed home pose.
- The robot hangs from its gantry hook or sits on a bench, the area is clear and hands are out of the joints.
- On the **Firmware** page, the **RPU** card's **Network** and **Control** checks are both healthy.
- You know how to [cut power](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/safety/stopping.md#cutting-power).

## Confirm Assembly

The firmware won't start until assembly is confirmed. Open **Firmware**; until you confirm, it shows a banner asking **"Is the robot fully assembled?"**

![The Firmware page before assembly is confirmed: the banner gates Start Firmware](https://docs.menlo.ai/manual/v1/assets/manager/firmware-confirm-assembly.png)

1. Select **Confirm Assembly**.
2. Select **Check Now** to sweep every actuator; it takes about 15 seconds. You want **25 of 25 actuators responding**. A result such as "Actuator 7 isn’t responding." sends you back to [Calibrate Actuators](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/setup/calibrate-actuators.md).
3. Type `CONFIRM` and select **Confirm Assembly**. The page shows "Recorded. You can start the firmware now."

Confirming records the robot as assembled on the RPU, so the record survives a Raspberry Pi 5 reflash, and sets the robot's onboard services, including Asimov Edge, to start on boot. It doesn't start the firmware, and it leaves the firmware's own **Start on boot** switch off.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Asimov Manager can't undo this**
>
> Reversing a confirmation takes `asimovctl reset-setup` on the command line — see [Command Line](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/asimov-manager.md#command-line). Confirm only a robot that is fully assembled, wired and calibrated.

## Start the Firmware

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Starting the firmware powers the actuators**
>
> The actuators come on in Damp — powered but limp — so the robot can't hold itself up. Keep it supported and keep clear of the joints.

On the **Firmware** page, select **Start Firmware** and confirm. From now on you can also start the robot with **Start Robot** on Overview — see [Power On and Off](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/power.md).

**Stop Firmware** is always available while the firmware runs, whatever else is wrong.

## Check It Came Up Healthy

Open **Overview**:

![Overview on a healthy robot: firmware running, 25 of 25 actuators responding](https://docs.menlo.ai/manual/v1/assets/manager/overview-healthy.png)

| Check | Healthy |
| - | - |
| Firmware | **Running** in the status strip |
| Actuators | **25 of 25 responding** |
| Battery | A percentage. A blank reading means Asimov Edge isn't running |
| Setup checklist | Gone from the sidebar |

If anything is off, see [Troubleshooting](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/troubleshooting.md). Leave the firmware's **Start on boot** switch off for now; [Start on Boot](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/power.md#start-on-boot) explains why.

**Next:** [Stand Up and Walk](https://docs.menlo.ai/asimov/1/operate/drive/stand-up.md) — the robot is commissioned.