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New Members Strengthen Automotive Grade Linux Security and Software Capabilities

SAN FRANCISCO, September 7, 2016Automotive Grade Linux (AGL), a collaborative open source project developing a Linux-based, open platform for the connected car, today announced that AutoIO Technology, Irdeto, Link Motion, Pocket Soft, sdtech and Synopsys have joined The Linux Foundation and Automotive Grade Linux.  

AGL recently released the Unified Code Base 2.0 (UCB), an updated version of the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) platform developed from the ground up through a joint effort by automakers and suppliers. The UCB 2.0 includes new features such as rear seat display, video playback, audio routing and application framework. Although initially focused on IVI, the AGL collaborative project plans to support instrument cluster, heads up display, telematics and autonomous driving in the future.

“Developing an open platform with multiple levels of security is essential for us as security breaches continue to be a concern across the industry,” said Dan Cauchy, General Manager of Automotive at The Linux Foundation. “These new members are a welcome addition to the AGL community as their expertise in security and software will help us improve our IVI platform as well as ensure that future projects are developed from the onset with security in mind.”

AGL will be holding its first Security Summit this week at the bi-annual AGL All-Member Meetings in Munich and plans to release Security Architecture guidelines later this year.

About the new members:

AutoIO Technology

AutoIO Technology is a software company specializing in the design, R&D, production and sales of full, programmable TFT instrument clusters, including the JetCast protocol and Auto IO operating system. Since its foundation, the young company has been rapidly recognized in the industry for its strong technology R&D capabilities as well as its leading technology innovation.

“Our whole system is based on the Linux kernel, which has enabled us to develop a real-time, cross-platform system that we can rapidly innovate on,” said Zhang Zheng, CEO of AutoIO Technology. “Automotive Grade Linux is a natural fit for us, and we look forward to collaborating with other members and sharing the advances we’ve made with the community.”

Irdeto

Irdeto is a world leader in digital platform security, enabling customers to protect their revenue, create new offerings and fight cybercrime. With nearly 50 years of expertise in security, Irdeto’s software security technology and cyber services protect over 2 billion devices for some of the world’s best known brands across industries including media and entertainment, payments and automotive.

“We have spent four decades working with professional hackers to develop a highly reliable digital security platform for connected car security,” said Daniel Thunberg, Global Head, Internet of Things at Irdeto. “Working with Automotive Grade Linux, we hope to lend our security expertise to the community to ensure that the software in future cars is protected against tampering and other intrusion-type techniques.”

Link Motion

Founded to create a new value chain in the automotive industry, Link Motion is a dedicated automotive software and hardware company focused on creating a secure, robust and reliable carputer in a cost efficient way. Their single vehicle computer, which was designed with security throughout, shields vehicles from attack through multi-point defenses and centralizes new functions and connected devices to create more secure vehicles.

“In today’s connected world, security needs to be top of mind when developing software and hardware solutions,” said Jouni Mikkonen, CEO of Link Motion. “We are excited to join Automotive Grade Linux and collaborate with other members to develop secure systems for connected cars.”

Pocket Soft

Founded in 1986, Pocket Soft is a privately owned company that builds the RTPatch® brand of software updating tools for embedded systems engineers and enterprise software developers. The gold-standard in its class, RTPatch is used worldwide for millions of updates daily and enables customers to reduce the size of their updates 90-99%, with 100% accuracy.

“Efficient software updating is a business necessity in the automotive industry,” said Tony Olivero, Chief Operating Officer at Pocket Soft. “By joining Automotive Grade Linux, we hope to enable all OEMs and suppliers to benefit from the significant impact that RTPatch can have on integration and time to market.”

sdtech

Founded in 2015, sdtech engages in design research and engineering, software development, HMI and systems operations. The company also focuses on creating sustainable design and technology for automotive, mobile and consumer electronics companies.

“We are excited to join Automotive Grade Linux and help design a connected car solution for the entire industry,” said Kazuo Kawabata, CEO of sdtech. “Sustainable design is at the heart of our business, and we hope to bring a user-centric perspective to help ensure the platform and the HMI are intuitive and user-friendly.”

Synopsys

Customers across the automotive supply chain use Synopsys’ Silicon to Software™ solutions to develop ICs and software for infotainment, ADAS, V2X and autonomous driving applications.  Synopsys’ portfolio of automotive-specific IC design and verification tools, automotive-grade IP and automotive software cybersecurity and quality solutions accelerate time to market and enable the next generation of safe, secure and smarter connected cars.   

“Developing SoCs that address safety critical features in automotive applications such as ADAS and V2X requires IP that meets stringent quality and functional safety standards,” said John Koeter, vice president of marketing for IP and prototyping at Synopsys. “By working with the AGL open source community to provide a portfolio of automotive-grade IP that adheres to ISO 26262 functional safety, AEC-Q100 reliability and TS 16949 quality, Synopsys enables designers to accelerate the development and qualification of automotive SoCs.”

More than 40 new companies have joined AGL in the past year, bringing the member total to more than 80. Ford, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota are among the first carmakers to participate in the AGL collaborative project. Other members include Aisin AW, Codethink, Continental, DENSO, Fujitsu Ten, HARMAN, Mitsubishi Electric, NTT DATA MSE, Panasonic, Pioneer, Qualcomm, Renesas Electronics, Wind River and many others.

About Automotive Grade Linux (AGL)

Automotive Grade Linux is a collaborative open source project that aims to accelerate the development and adoption of a fully open software stack for the connected car. Leveraging the power and strength of Linux at its core, AGL is uniting automakers and technology companies to develop an open platform that offers OEMs complete control of the user experience so the industry can rapidly innovate where it counts. The AGL platform is available to all, and anyone can participate in its development. Learn more: https://www.automotivelinux.org/

Automotive Grade Linux is a Collaborative Project at The Linux Foundation. Linux Foundation Collaborative Projects are independently funded software projects that harness the power of collaborative development to fuel innovation across industries and ecosystems. www.linuxfoundation.org

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is the organization of choice for the world’s top developers and companies to build ecosystems that accelerate open technology development and commercial adoption. Together with the worldwide open source community, it is solving the hardest technology problems by creating the largest shared technology investment in history. Founded in 2000, The Linux Foundation today provides tools, training and events to scale any open source project, which together deliver an economic impact not achievable by any one company. More information can be found at  www.linuxfoundation.org.

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Media Inquiries

Emily Olin

Automotive Grade Linux

eolin@linuxfoundation.org

The Linux Foundation
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