Mixed-criticality certification enhances ISO 26262 compliance, propelling Linux innovation in software-defined vehicles
Red Hat, Inc. is the top provider of open source solutions. It announced that its Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System has reached a key milestone in functional safety certification. Some key subsystems of the platform have a mixed-criticality safety certification. This is a step toward ISO 26262 Automotive Safety Integrity Level B (ASIL-B) compliance. This achievement shows Red Hat’s commitment to functional safety in Linux for the automotive sector.
Breakthrough in Mixed-Criticality
The certification demonstrates the platform’s capability to support both ASIL-B safety-critical applications and Quality Management (QM) software on a single System-on-Chip (SoC) and operating system. This is enabled by robust evidence of “Freedom From Interference” (FFI) across operating system layers, facilitating seamless integration of safety-critical and non-safety-critical applications for next-generation automotive systems.
Red Hat worked with exida to create a new way to meet functional safety compliance under ISO 26262. This method addresses the complexities of open-source software while enhancing safety reliability.
Key Certification Milestones
This progress builds on exida’s prior ISO 26262 ASIL-B certification of the Linux Math Library, a foundational element of the Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System. The certification confirms that the operating system’s mixed-criticality configurations consistently meet ASIL-B standards, giving automakers confidence to deploy the platform in future vehicles.
Industry Support and Insights
- Francis Chow, VP and GM, Red Hat In-Vehicle OS and Edge. “This milestone gets us closer to full safety certification for the Red Hat In-Vehicle OS.” By combining edge computing with Linux’s proven reliability, we enable automakers to deliver scalable, connected, and personalized driving experiences while meeting stringent safety standards.”
- Bruno Putman, VP, Market Dev and Partnerships, Arm. “Red Hat’s platform, supported by Arm’s virtual and Automotive Enhanced solutions, speeds up vehicle development and safety compliance.” This strengthens the software ecosystem automakers need for innovative, software-defined vehicles.”
- Thomas Irawan, Chairman and President of the Board of Directors, ETAS “Red Hat’s certification is a game-changer for the automotive industry. Reliable safety features in the operating system simplify designing safety-critical functions and expedite development by integrating safety and non-safety applications. This milestone solidifies Linux’s role in software-defined vehicles.”
- Jack Weast, Intel Fellow and Vice President, Intel Automotive “Mixed-criticality is essential for software-defined vehicles. Red Hat’s certification achievement is a remarkable step forward, paving the way for software-defined architectures in vehicles worldwide.”
- Jonathan Moore, Director of Advanced Systems, exida “Red Hat exemplifies the collaborative culture essential for advancing technical solutions in safety-critical software. Their certification reflects excellence in safety practices and will benefit the entire community of operating system experts.”
- Aish Dubey, Vice President and General Manager, High-Performance Computing SoC, Renesas Electronics “By uniting QM and safety-critical functions on a single ECU and SoC, Red Hat reduces hardware costs and simplifies development. Combined with Renesas’ R-Car X5 and RoX SDV platforms, this creates a cost-effective, safety-certified platform for next-generation automotive computing.”
Driving the Future of Automotive Software
Red Hat’s certification milestone underscores the potential of open-source software in automotive innovation. The Red Hat In-Vehicle Operating System bridges the gap between safety compliance and modern vehicle technology, empowering automakers to deliver enhanced safety, functionality, and connectivity at scale.
