Mainstream consumers typically don’t know that the Linux operating system powers their email services, their favorite websites, their televisions, and sometimes even their cell phones and computers. Now, Wind River Linux is expanding into electric vehicle operations.
Commercial embedded Linux developer headquartered in Alameda, California, provides software for mission-critical intelligent systems. We are helping accelerate digital transformation across industries including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and communications. Linux tools and lifecycle services for automotive applications help manufacturers build and support intelligent edge solutions.
“The role of software is becoming increasingly important for the automotive industry, and Linux software can unlock new possibilities that drive value for both automakers and consumers,” said Wind River Chief Product Officer. CEO Avijit Sinha told LinuxInsider.
Wind River Linux helps automotive innovators implement modern development frameworks that leverage AI in the cloud and edge. Combined with software lifecycle management capabilities, he explained, it can accelerate innovation and advance the realization of his software-defined vehicles.
Open source advances drive EV technology
Wind River recently partnered with two emerging Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to integrate innovative Linux technology. Both electric vehicle manufacturers hope to use Linux to accelerate their entry into competition with established gasoline-engine vehicle manufacturers in Europe and North America.
Mobility technology brand Zeekr and Horizon New Energy Automobile Co. (also known as Hozon or NETA Auto) are relatively new companies in the EV industry. Founded in 2021, Zeekr moved to the European markets of Sweden and the Netherlands in the fourth quarter of 2023. Founded in 2014, Hozon produced its first concept car in 2017 and opened a research center in California’s Silicon Valley in 2018.
Zeekr’s design goal is to create a fully integrated user ecosystem. The company’s technology leverages a Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), including proprietary battery technology, battery management systems, electric motor technology, and electric vehicle supply chain.
The company name combines three concepts related to non-gasoline engines.
- “ZE” means zero, the starting point of infinite possibilities.
- “E” represents the evolution of the electric age.
- “KR” refers to krypton, a rare gas that emits light when electricity is passed through it.
According to an October 10 announcement, Hozon has selected Wind River Linux to develop the Hozon Automotive Intelligent Security Vehicle Platform. The platform is a high-performance computing gateway and vehicle control hardware and software framework that is expected to go into production starting in 2025. It integrates open source frameworks and tools to enable rapid development and deployment of software applications.
“Hozon is pushing the boundaries of innovation in vehicle development,” said Dai Dali, the company’s chief technology officer. “It is important to work with both automotive and Linux experts who have the highest level of professional services capabilities combined with long-term support and localization capabilities, including expertise in performance optimization, security and safety. ”
Hozon and Wind River’s collaboration includes next-generation automotive infrastructure software that enables software-defined vehicle features such as advanced high-performance computing, internal and external networking (V2X) between vehicles and infrastructure, and advanced driver assistance systems. Also includes work (ADAS).
Partnerships based on Linux technology
According to Sinha, Wind River plans to incorporate its Linux software into its future Zeekr Electronic and Electrical Architecture (ZEEA) platform to aggressively drive future software-defined vehicles.
His company’s advanced Linux platform enables teams to develop, deploy, and operate reliable and secure embedded solutions on purpose-built Linux operating systems. Sinha was drawn to his Zeekr partnership because of the company’s pioneering efforts in new technology.
Zeekr will use Wind River Linux for its central security computer, the service gateway that manages the vehicle’s backbone Ethernet, to advance autonomous driving, intelligent cockpits, and in-vehicle E/E architectures.
“The cooperation with Zeekr has been very good. They have a good team of very professional and experienced team members. They have developed an advanced system in a very short period of time. . Their innovative way of looking at things is also refreshing,” said Sinha.
Wind River Industrial Linux Edge
Wind River’s software is unlike any other Linux or proprietary automated system in use today. The focus is on industrial applications and development, with a focus on non-IT use cases, Sinha said.
“These markets have traditionally been more demanding than others, so we’ve been able to leverage this experience to differentiate ourselves from more traditional products that tend to be ‘good enough.’ Ta. Additionally, we have a very strong service team with extensive experience in customizing and supporting customers with specific needs,” he said.
Wind River is a founding member and contributor for more than a decade to the Yocto Project (YP), an open source collaborative project that helps developers create custom Linux-based systems regardless of hardware architecture.
Top 10 organizations committed to the Yocto project (Image: Wind River Systems | Source: The Linux Foundation)
The company is also a member of the ELISA project (Enabling Linux In Safety Applications), which closely monitors the use of embedded Linux in safety applications.
Both of these projects are organized as nonprofits under the banner of The Linux Foundation.
Sinha said Wind River Linux provides the security, safety and reliability needed by billions of devices and systems. This software has applications in everything from collaborative robots and commercial and military drones to connected cars and factory floors, as well as the intelligent communication networks that support these applications.
His company has a long history of helping customers solve complex technology challenges on the path to a new intelligent machine economy. Innovation has been part of his DNA at the company for over 40 years.
Wind River’s Linux technology has contributed to a variety of groundbreaking projects. For example, it has played a key role in NASA space missions, including the Artemis I mission, the James Webb Space Telescope, and multiple Mars rovers. He also contributed to pioneering efforts in 5G technology, including his first successful transmission of 5G data from space by NASA.