SYSGO and Klepsydra to advance AI in avionics and space systems

This collaboration unites SYSGO's PikeOS RTOS and Hypervisor platform and Klepsydra AI to deliver solutions in aerospace technology.

PikeOS, certified with safety certifications up to DO-178C DAL A and security compliance up to Common Criteria EAL5+, will now feature Klepsydra AI as a powerful library. Klepsydra AI’s capabilities will enhance AI-driven applications running on PikeOS, enabling the development of safe and secure AI systems for the most critical environments. The use cases for AI in space vary from on-board AI for earth observation up to space exploration or on-board robotics.

PikeOS is already a trusted platform in several high-profile space missions, making it a robust foundation for next-generation space technologies, including safety-critical applications for satellite systems and deep-space exploration projects. The technology has been instrumental in enabling ESA (European Space Agency) missions, proving its value in managing complex space avionics operations where reliability and security are paramount. Klepsydra’s highly efficient AI inference engine will complement PikeOS in these domains by enhancing real-time data processing, decision-making capabilities, and improving overall mission performance.

SYSGO and Klepsydra are actively working on a series of space projects / proofs of concept with ESA and in frame of Horizon Europe on terrestrial Edge AI systems. One notable example is their collaboration on the REBECCA project, to democratise the development of Edge AI systems, which is supported by the Chips Joint Undertaking and its members, under grant agreement number 101097224 supported by the European Union, including the top-up funding by National Authorities. Within REBECCA, Klepsydra has developed an AI inference engine for RISC-V architectures, achieving significant performance gains when deployed on platforms like Microchip PolarFire ICICLE.

SYSGO’s PikeOS hypervisor is often integrated to ensure that safety and security requirements are met e.g., for AI workloads on space-qualified hardware. Demonstrations of this AI stack have already been showcased at ESA’s Industry Space Days 2024 using the Teledyne NXP LX2160 board, highlighting the potential of PikeOS and Klepsydra AI in advancing Edge Computing for space applications.

SYSGO and Klepsydra are committed to fine-tuning their AI-enabled platform for space, with additional demonstrations and use cases in the pipeline. As part of their ongoing cooperation, the two companies will explore further opportunities in avionics, with plans to apply their combined technologies to new ESA-backed missions. Their shared goal is to provide a comprehensive software solution that meets the high standards of performance, safety, and security required for critical space and aerospace systems.

Visit at Space Tech Expo in Bremen

SYSGO and Klepsydra invite space experts and interested visitors to join them at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen, Germany, 19–21 November 2024. Visit SYSGO at booth Z25 to see a live demonstration of their Edge AI inference engine running on radiation-tolerant CortexA72 architecture. The demo showcases on-board AI capabilities with real-time parallel execution of asteroid pose determination, lunar hazard detection, and ship detection, leveraging the certifiable PikeOS hypervisor to handle applications of varied criticality.