New Members Join Linux Foundation to Participate in Automotive Grade Linux Workgroup

Componentality Oy, Host Concepts, Micware, and MIRACLE LINUX invest in Linux to support new car technologies

BARCELONA, Spain {LinuxCon Europe) November 6, 2012 – The Linux Foundation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, today announced that Componentality Oy, Host Concepts, Micware, and MIRACLE LINUX are joining the organization. These companies will participate in the Automotive Grade Linux workgroup, an industry-wide initiative with contributions from Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Toyota, and more.

The Linux Foundation’s newest members recognize the advantage Linux gives them to move fast in their markets and to leverage innovations from other industries. The automotive industry, in particular, is taking advantage of the existing $10B collective investment in the Linux kernel to deliver the same kind of experience in cars that consumers have come to expect on their computers and across all their devices, whether at home, in the office or while commuting.

These companies are also participating this week in the first Automotive Grade Linux workgroup steering group meeting, which is taking place today at LinuxCon Europe in Barcelona.

More information about today’s newest Linux Foundation members:

Componentality Oy is an automotive Research and Development (R&D) company that builds passenger-oriented devices for public transportation; entertainment and connectivity for cars and road infrastructure; and unique technical solutions for special purposes in the automotive field, focusing on DSRC communications and eCall/ERA GLONASS systems.

“The Linux Foundation Automotive Grade Linux initiative is playing a crucial role in advancing car technologies,” said Konstantin Khait, co-founder and head of engineering, Componentality Oy. “The automotive world needs a new concept and fundamental approach for the operating system, which may become a basis for a variety of in-car devices, including multimedia, V2X, control systems and more. We see a lot of changes coming into the automotive life, and our company believes that nothing except open platform solutions and joint efforts of professional and volunteer communities can respond to the market demand for all the industry renovation.”

Host Concepts is a software development company specializing in Guest Interaction Experiences. From hotels and restaurants to cruise ships, cars and convention centers, the company designs, develops, supports and hosts custom software solutions to maximize the guest experience. Host Concepts specializes in universally accessible applications designed and coded for web, mobile and native operating systems.

“The Linux Foundation is home to a variety of important initiatives that support our work, from the Automotive Grade Linux workgroup to events where we can collaborate with other developers,” said Todd Fuchs, chief software architect, Host Concepts. “We expect our Linux Foundation membership to help us accelerate our work and maximize our investments in collaborative development.”

Micware is software integrator and is developing Linux-based software stacks for reference hardware systems for Automotive Grade Linux (AGL).

“By joining The Linux Foundation we’re able to work more closely with our partners and collaborate on the embedded and automotive development that is the highest priority,” said Kentaro Yamauchi, Director at Micware. “We’re looking forward to participating in the Automotive Grade Linux workgroup and other Linux Foundation activities.”

MIRACLE LINUX is a Linux distributor for enterprise and embedded market based on Japan. It is also co-owner of Asianux Co. Ltd. Based in China (http://www.asianux.com/). The company has more than 13 years of experience in the field of Linux business and applies its knowledge and skills to the automotive area. It is joining The Linux Foundation to participate in the Long Term Support Initiative (LTSI) (http://ltsi.linuxfoundation.org/) and the Automotive Grade Linux workgroup (http://automotive.linuxfoundation.org/).

“The Linux Foundation provides a neutral forum for collaboration across industries, enabling technologies to be adapted for different applications. This is highly valuable for a Linux distributor like us,” said Takashi Kodama, president and CEO, MIRACLE LINUX. “The collaboration we do with other companies on consumer electronics and automotive grade Linux will advance and accelerate our work in these areas.”

“The connected world is giving way to a seamless experience across every aspect of our lives: our home, cars, phones, desktop computers and more. The Linux Foundation’s newest members represent the work happening to enable that experience,” said Amanda McPherson, vice president of marketing and developer services at The Linux Foundation. “We welcome these members and look forward to their contributions to the Linux ecosystem.”

About The Linux Foundation

The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2000, the organization sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and promotes, protects and advances the Linux operating system by marshaling the resources of its members and the open source development community. The Linux Foundation provides a neutral forum for collaboration and education by hosting Linux conferences, including LinuxCon, and generating original Linux research, Linux videos and content that advances the understanding of the Linux platform. Its web properties, including Linux.com, reach approximately two million people per month. The organization also provides extensive Linux training opportunities that feature the Linux kernel community’s leading experts as instructors. Follow The Linux Foundation on Twitter. 

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