Q&A: simplifying embedded computing with congatec

In this exclusive interview, congatec representatives discuss the importance of product longevity, the role of pre-integrated software solutions, and how these innovations are addressing evolving industry demands.

Longevity is a significant pain point for customers in industries such as medical, military, and robotics. Can you elaborate on why this is so critical?

Longevity is essential because our customers need products with lifespans of at least seven to 15 years. In industries like medical, it can take two to three years to secure FDA certification for a device using our computing module, which is the ‘brain’ of their system. This certification process ensures safety for patients but also means that any changes to the computing hardware after certification would require a partial re-certification – a costly and time-consuming process. The same applies to industries like avionics, military, robotics, and automotive, where safety certifications are equally stringent. Stability in the bill of materials and ensuring no design changes during the product’s lifecycle are paramount.

How does congatec address these challenges?

All our products align with the embedded roadmaps of major silicon manufacturers like Intel, AMD, NXP, and Texas Instruments. These roadmaps guarantee product availability for 10 to 15 years. Additionally, our computing modules are designed to work on carrier boards, enabling customers to create custom solutions quickly and efficiently. Designing a custom computer from scratch could take 18 months, but using our carrier boards reduces this time to as little as six months. This faster time-to-market gives our customers a competitive advantage and helps them start production and revenue generation sooner.

You mentioned making embedded computing simpler for customers. How are you achieving this?

Simplification is at the core of our mission. We focus on both hardware and software innovations. For instance:

Hypervisor integration: every x86 board we sell includes a pre-installed hypervisor, embedded in the firmware, which can be enabled with a single click. This allows customers to run multiple operating systems on a single device, such as a real-time operating system for robotics control alongside a Windows interface for operator control. This consolidation reduces the need for separate machines, saving time and resources.

Operating system choices: we offer a range of pre-certified operating systems, including Ubuntu Linux, real-time Linux, and Bosch Rexroth’s Control X. Customers no longer need to test compatibility themselves, as we’ve already ensured everything works seamlessly.

Application ecosystem: while we don’t develop application software, we collaborate with partners like Bosch Rexroth. Customers can choose from a portfolio of off-the-shelf applications, such as process control or data acquisition, to accelerate their development timelines.

How does this approach impact the market readiness of your customers?

By simplifying the development process, we enable customers to bring products to market up to 12 months faster. This speed is crucial for being first or competitive in the market. With our pre-integrated solutions, customers can avoid many of the delays associated with testing, certification, and custom development, allowing them to start production and generate revenue earlier.

What innovations are you showcasing at embedded world this year?

At embedded world, we are launching new hardware and software solutions that further streamline the customer experience. While many competitors offer similar hardware, our differentiator is the software ecosystem we provide. By adding layers of functionality – like hypervisors, pre-certified operating systems, and integration with application software – we help customers reduce complexity and accelerate development. This is our focus: making embedded computing easier and more accessible.

congatec has focused on modules for many years. How has this shaped your product strategy?

Modules are our core expertise, and we’ve been refining this technology for over 20 years. While we briefly ventured into single-board computers (SBCs), we realised that our strength lies in modules, and we have doubled down on this. The strategy now is to build on this foundation, adding software layers to enhance usability. Each ‘Lego block’ we add makes it easier for engineers to work with our systems.

How has the integration of hypervisors and real-time operating systems transformed your offerings?

The integration of hypervisors allows customers to run multiple operating systems on a single machine, dividing cores and resources as needed. This capability is particularly important in robotics and medical applications, where real-time operating systems manage critical processes, and Windows or Linux handle operator interfaces. Workload consolidation eliminates the need for multiple physical machines, reduces costs, and enhances system reliability.

How does your approach align with broader industry trends?

Industry-wide, there is a growing need to do more with fewer resources. Companies are reducing engineering teams while facing increasingly complex development challenges. By simplifying embedded computing and enabling faster market entry, we address these pressures directly. Customers can focus on their core innovations while relying on our solutions to handle the foundational computing aspects.

This approach reflects congatec’s commitment to solving real-world problems, simplifying embedded computing, and helping customers achieve their goals faster and more efficiently.