Linux is not known to mainstream consumers, who use it for their email, their favorite websites, their televisions, their mobile phones and their computers. Now, Wind River Linux Electric cars are gaining popularity.
The embedded Linux commercial developer with headquarters in Alameda delivers software to intelligent systems that are mission-critical. It helps accelerate digital transformation for industries including automotive, aerospace defense, industrial medical, and telecommunications. Linux tools for automotive and lifecycle services help manufacturers develop and support intelligent edge solution.
The role of software in the automotive industry is increasing. Avijit Sinha is the chief product officer of Wind River and told LinuxInsider that Linux software could unlock new opportunities to increase value for car manufacturers as well as consumers.
Wind River Linux helps automotive innovators to implement modernized frameworks that utilize AI at the edge and in the cloud. He explained that when combined with software lifecycle capabilities, they can accelerate their innovation and push forward the realization of software defined vehicles.
Open Source Advancement Fuels EV Technology
Wind River partnered recently with two emerging Chinese electric vehicle (EV), manufacturers, to integrate innovative Linux technologies. Both electric automakers hope to use Linux as a way to accelerate their entry to competing with established gasoline-engine automakers in Europe and North America.
Mobility technology brand Zeekr Horizon New Energy Automobile Co. is also known as Hozon NETA Auto or NETA is a relative newcomer to the EV market. Zeekr was founded in 2021 and transitioned into the European market, in Sweden, the Netherlands, in the fourth quarter 2023. Hozon, a company founded in 2014, launched its first concept car and opened an innovation center in Silicon Valley, California, in 2018.
Zeekr aims to create an integrated ecosystem for users. Its technology is based on sustainable experience architecture. This includes its own battery technologies and management systems, electric motors, and supply chains for electric vehicles.
The name of this company is made up of three ideas about non-gasoline powered engines.
- “ZE” means Zero, the initial point of infinite possibility.
- The letter “E”, which stands for electric age, is a symbol of progress.
- Krypton is a rare gas which emits light upon being electrified.
According to a 10th October announcement, Hozon has selected Wind River Linux for the development of its Hozon Automotive Intelligent Vehicle Platform. The platform is a hardware-software framework for high performance computing gateways and vehicle controls that will be in production by 2025. The platform integrates open-source tools and frameworks, enabling rapid development of software applications.
Dai Dali said, “Hozon is pushing innovation boundaries in its vehicle developments.” It is essential to work with an auto and Linux expert that possesses a high level of expertise, long-term support, localization, as well as expertise in performance optimization and security.
Hozon’s collaboration with Wind River includes the development of next-generation automotive software infrastructure, which will enable advanced vehicle capabilities like high-performance computing (HPC), internal and external network connectivity between vehicles and infrastructure (V2X), as well as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Linux Tech Partnering Motivated
Sinha said that Wind River would embed its Linux software into the future Zeekr Electronic and Electrical Architecture platform (ZEEA), to power software-defined cars of the future.
His advanced Linux platform allows teams to create, deploy, and run reliable and secure embedded systems on a Linux OS that is purpose-built. Sinha was drawn to Zeekr because of the company’s pioneering work in new technologies.
Zeekr will use Wind River Linux in its Central Security Computer — a service gateway that manages the vehicle’s backbone ethernet — to advance autonomous driving, intelligent cockpit, and in-vehicle E/E architecture.
“Our collaboration has been very positive. They have an excellent team, with members who are highly skilled and experienced. In a short period of time, they have developed a highly advanced system. “Their innovative approach to things is refreshing,” said Sinha.
Wind River’s Industrial Linux Edge
Wind River software is different from other Linux-based and proprietary auto systems currently in use. Sinha said that Wind River’s software is geared towards non-IT applications, and places a strong emphasis on development for industrial purposes.
“These markets are traditionally more demanding than others, and we were able to leverage this experience to differentiate from the more traditional offerings that tend to be ‘good enough.’ He added that we also have a strong services team, which has a great deal of experience customizing and supporting customers who have specific needs.
Wind River was a founding member and has been contributing to the Yocto Project (YP), An open-source project that allows developers to create custom Linux systems, regardless of hardware architecture.
Wind River Systems (Source:| Source: The Linux Foundation)
The company is a member as well of the ELISA The project (Enabling Linux In Safety Applications), which closely watches embedded Linux usage in safety applications.
These two projects are both non-profits under The Linux Foundation.
Sinha pointed out that Wind River Linux is a reliable, secure, and safe operating system for millions of devices and systems. Wind River Linux is used for everything from commercial drones, to collaborative robots, to factory floors and connected cars.
His company is well-known for helping clients solve technology challenges in their journey to the intelligent machine economy. Since more than 40 years, innovation has been a part of the DNA of this company.
Wind River technology has played a key role in many groundbreaking projects. It has, for example, played a key role in NASA space missions such as the Artemis I Mission, the James Webb Space Telescope and multiple Mars Rovers. It has also been a pioneer in the 5G field, contributing to NASA’s first 5G transmission from space.
