diff --git a/arrive_audio_ui.py b/arrive_audio_ui.py
index 3e57e25..18c9729 100644
--- a/arrive_audio_ui.py
+++ b/arrive_audio_ui.py
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ except ImportError:
     _HAS_USB = False
 
 # ── STM32 companion USB IDs — update after running lsusb ─────────────────────
-_STM32_VID = None   # e.g. 0x0483
-_STM32_PID = None   # e.g. 0x5740
+_STM32_VID = 0x2f8f  # Flowbird Axio4 Companion
+_STM32_PID = 0x0003
 
 # ── Force framebuffer QPA before any Qt import ────────────────────────────────
 if 'DISPLAY' not in os.environ and 'QT_QPA_PLATFORM' not in os.environ:
@@ -336,10 +336,22 @@ class LedController:
         if _HAS_USB and _STM32_VID:
             try:
                 self._dev = usb.core.find(idVendor=_STM32_VID, idProduct=_STM32_PID)
-                if self._dev:
-                    self._dev.set_configuration()
             except Exception:
                 self._dev = None
+            if self._dev:
+                try:
+                    self._dev.set_configuration()
+                except Exception:
+                    pass  # already configured by kernel driver
+                try:
+                    if self._dev.is_kernel_driver_active(1):
+                        self._dev.detach_kernel_driver(1)
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+                try:
+                    usb.util.claim_interface(self._dev, 1)
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
 
     # ── Public ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -354,6 +366,10 @@ class LedController:
         self._running = False
         if self._dev:
             self._set_brightness(self.STRING_MAIN, 0)
+            try:
+                usb.util.release_interface(self._dev, 1)
+            except Exception:
+                pass
 
     # ── USB helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
@@ -391,9 +407,10 @@ class LedController:
     # ── Knight rider loop ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
     def _knight_rider(self):
-        STEPS   = 20       # steps per half-cycle
-        STEP_MS = 0.03     # 30 ms per step → ~600 ms fade up, ~600 ms fade down
+        STEPS   = 30       # steps per half-cycle
+        STEP_MS = 0.05     # 50 ms per step → ~1.5 s fade up, ~1.5 s fade down
 
+        self._set_brightness(self.STRING_MAIN, 255)
         while self._running:
             # Fade purple → pink
             for i in range(STEPS):