Versions follow symantic versioning. The update mechanism always tries to update to the latest compatible version.
rESCue firmware does support different hardware setups, therefore different types of the firmware exist.
The regular type uses CANBUS and supports addressable LEDs (e.g. Neopixel or other WS28.. based)
The COB type supports COB-LED-modules by driving one or two external MOSFET by PWM.
The UART type uses UART instead of CANBUS to "talk" to the VESC.
The cob_uart type supports COB-LED-modules by driving one or two external MOSFET by PWM and uses UART for communication with the VESC.