There's a Linux-Powered Car in Your Future

Linux is well on its way to becoming the default automobile operating system.

Linux is everywhere. And, I mean everywhere. You name it, home electronics, smartphones, and, of course, computers. But, one place you probably didn't think of Linux living is sitting in your driveway right now: Your car. If it's not already, your car will soon be running Linux. The Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) group's membership is a who's who of car manufacturers. This includes: Mazda. Suzuki, Honda, Nissan, Ford, and the world's largest automobile company: Toyota. And, their numbers are only increasing.

At CES, AGL announced that Daimler, Mercedes-Benz's parent company, is joining the Linux revolution.. Daimler makes the tenth automaker to join AGL and the first Germany company to join the AGL. You don't think of car manufacturers as software companies, but with rise of smartcars with their infotainment systems and self-driving functionality, that's exactly what they're becoming. "Automakers are becoming software companies, and just like in the tech industry, they are realizing that open source is the way forward," said Dan Cauchy, the AGL's executive director in a statement.

Until recently, many automakers used proprietary operating systems for infotainment. They'd then contract out the programming to an independent software vendor (ISV). The result? Proprietary code with limited portability and reuse. AGL members have figured out that sharing a single, open-source software stack allows for code reuse and a more efficient development process. At the same time, ISVs can build once for multiple OEMs instead of having to waste time building different versions for each make and model...