Partnership accelerates software innovation in the automotive industry

HighTec EDV-Systeme, Elektrobit and Infineon are partnering to accelerate software innovation in the automotive industry by facilitating the integration of Rust applications with AUTOSAR Classic basic software.

As ecosystem partners to Infineon Technologies' Drive Core for AURIX MCUs, HighTec and Elektrobit are delivering a comprehensive development bundle. This joint offering comprises Elektrobit's EB tresos AutoCore and HighTec's automotive-grade LLVM-based Rust and C/C++ compiler. Specific to the AURIX TC4x families, HighTec and Elektrobit will offer a Drive Core software bundle that contains all necessary tools and software in a single package, enabling users to get started with Rust and AUTOSAR Classic. Through this close cooperation, embedded software developers gain seamless access to all they require in one package, enabling them to take advantage of Rust's memory safety and performance for functional safety applications, even in the most complex automotive ECUs.

Rust's performance, reliability, and, above all, its memory safety make it a crucial component for modern automotive software. It directly addresses the growing demand for cybersecurity and functional safety, driven by software-defined vehicles and regulations such as UN R155 and the EU Cyber Resilience Act. By combining Elektrobit's AUTOSAR Classic Basic Software with HighTec's ISO 26262 ASIL D-certified Rust compiler, developers can now seamlessly integrate Rust-based software components into AUTOSAR environments. This allows a hybrid development approach, where new software written in Rust can work alongside legacy C/C++ code basis, lower risks while ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards. The Drive Core software bundle for AURIX TC4x includes MCUs and everything developers require to get started, including the EB tresos configuration tool, Infineon AURIX TC4x MCALs, and comprehensive examples and tutorials to develop AUTOSAR software components in Rust.

Elektrobit's EB tresos now supports clean, efficient Rust development, minimising or eradicating the need for 'unsafe' code. This integration provides developers with a robust toolchain that not only generates system-access code but also enables advanced static analysis through tools like Rust's Clippy and automatic code formatting. This solution improves productivity while minimising the cost and complexity of developing safety-critical automotive software.

HighTec's Rust and C/C++ compiler is built on proven LLVM open-source technology. As the industry's first Rust compiler for Infineon's AURIX TC3x and TC4x MCU series, it is specifically optimised to use the architecture-specific functions of the AURIX MCUs. HighTec's compiler is known for its rapid build system and advanced code optimisations, which accelerate the development and certification of safety-critical applications.

Infineon has the largest MCU Abstraction Layer portfolio in the industry and embraces an ecosystem approach to drive innovation and growth. This is why it introduced Drive Core, a comprehensive software bundle portfolio that supplies a foundation for automotive software development.

"We believe that Drive Core is a game-changer for the automotive industry, and we are excited to see companies such as HighTec and Elektrobit leveraging it to drive innovation," said Patrick Will, senior director of Automotive Software at Infineon.

"By taking Rust to the AUTOSAR Classic environment, Elektrobit continues to drive innovation in the automotive software industry," said Florian Bartels, senior expert and system architect at Elektrobit. "Rust's inherent safety features and its seamless integration into existing AUTOSAR Classic environments make it a perfect fit for modern ECU development, enabling developers to create reliable, secure and high-performance automotive software."

"Our partnership with Elektrobit empowers automotive customers to build safer and more efficient software solutions," said Mario Cupelli, CTO at HighTec. "By offering our proven Rust compiler along with Elektrobit's tools in a comprehensive bundle, we give automotive suppliers and OEMs a competitive edge."

In addition to their tools and software bundle for Rust and AUTOSAR Classic, HighTec and Elektrobit are offering workshops and hands-on sessions for practical insights and guidance on integrating Rust within AUTOSAR Classic projects.