Accelerating Time-to-Market with Open Source for Car Systems

No longer are cars simply gas-powered vehicles; they are intelligent, connected systems that require an entire team dedicated to developing, integrating, and managing multiple systems composed of thousands of software components. And while no one ever decided to buy a car because of its operating system, carmakers are keenly aware of how embedded systems play a key role in safety, communications, comfort, driver convenience, and overall experience, which all factor heavily into a customer’s buying decision.

Most proofs of concept (POCs) for embedded systems start with open source Linux. And no wonder—at a robust 20 years in market, the Linux kernel has reached a level of stability, flexibility, and security that makes it a viable starting point for many industries. And Linux Foundation initiatives, such as the Yocto Project, have helped increase the pace of innovation.

Many cars on the road today already use embedded systems based on Linux for in-vehicle infotainment, heads-up driving displays, and dashboard systems. These systems are constantly being improved by the greater Linux community through projects such as the Linux Foundation’s Automotive Grade Linux (AGL), an open source initiative that builds on a Yocto Project foundation and brings together automakers, suppliers, and tech companies to accelerate the development and adoption of a fully open software stack for all in-vehicle technology.