Page 49 - EE Times Europe March 2022

EE|Times EUROPE 49

Apex.AI and ROS: Growing Automotive Impact

than a decade of experience in robotics and
software frameworks, including ROS-based
software development.
The company’s strategy focuses on advanc-
ing the ROS 2 framework to the next level by
rewriting the ROS 2 code with an emphasis on
automotive features. The upgraded version,
called Apex.OS, is a real-time automotive
development kit and platform.
Apex.AI has added hardware abstraction,
meaning Apex.OS code can run on multiple
microprocessor architectures. The strategy is
also focused on software-defined vehicles and
especially safety-critical systems.
Apex.AI has received ISO 26262 ASIL-D
certification from leading German testing
company TÜV Nord. The product, Apex.OS (Source: Apex.AI)
Cert., is positioned as an OS framework and
development kit for autonomous vehicles and nication. Zero copy is a crucial feature for companion for many Apex.AI customers.
software-defined vehicles. developing software with strict real-time Apex.AI has also partnered with Tier IV, a
Apex.AI uses C++ to develop its software, requirements. Japanese AV software startup. Tier IV devel-
offering middleware libraries in C, C++, The figure above shows how Apex.OS oped an open-source autonomous software
Python, and Rust. That strategy allows integrates with Apex.Middleware and other platform called Autoware. The partners will
Apex.AI to ready its technology for produc- products. Note that a real-time OS is needed combine their software and offer it to their
tion ADAS and AVs. on the top of ECU hardware. customers.
Apex.Autonomy serves as a set of certified Toyota’s Woven Planet is using Apex.OS
APEX.AI PRODUCTS building blocks for developing autonomy for safety applications such as AV software.
Apex.OS was introduced as a software functions. It includes a LiDAR-based L4 Woven Planet is implementing Apex.OS in its
platform that can be integrated across all autonomous-driving stack for building Arene platform. Toyota’s software develop-
in-vehicle domains while extending into safety-critical applications. ment platform includes advanced tools, APIs,
cloud functionality. As a fork of ROS 2, and safety building blocks to shorten software
Apex.OS is billed as real-time, reliable, and PARTNERS, CUSTOMERS development cycles for new mobility and
deterministic for use in safety applications. Apex.AI has disclosed some information on automation applications.
The robotic OS is aimed at two main its partners and customers, with other rela- Another customer, Voyage, is using
customers: OEM developers implementing tionships likely forged but unannounced. Apex.OS to develop its fixed-route vans.
complex AI software integrated with multiple Continental and Apex.AI have been collab- Voyage was recently acquired by Cruise.
ECUs, and AV developers implementing orating since 2020, using Apex.OS in vehicle ZF is both an investor, with a 5% ownership
safety-critical applications. Apex.OS can also electronic systems. As a Tier 1 supplier, stake, and an Apex.AI customer. It is develop-
be used with other development frameworks, Continental needs better software capabil- ing safety-critical software based on Apex.OS.
including AUTOSAR Adaptive. ities, and Apex.AI provides safety-critical
Apex.OS 1.3 and Apex middleware can software tools. BOTTOM LINE
be used together. The latter is designed The Green Hills Integrity RTOS kernel ROS is an established, popular open-source
as an integration of Eclipse Cyclone DDS has achieved ISO 26262 ASIL-D certification software development framework and
and Eclipse iceoryx, enabling real-time data and has adopted the ISO 21434 automotive platform for creating robotic systems and
transfer and so-called zero-copy commu- cybersecurity standard. Integrity is a good applications. It has attracted strong tech-
nology industry participation under the
Apex.Al Summary stewardship of Open Robotics.
Topic Key Information Other Information Apex.AI has leveraged the ROS ecosystem
• Founded: 2017, headquarters in Palo Alto, California • Offices: Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart to develop products that meet auto indus-
Apex.Al
• Funding: Over $70M by 10+ companies • Continental, JLR, Toyota, Volvo Group, ZF try needs. Apex.OS has received the highest
• Jan Becker: Co-founder and CEO • Bosch and Stanford University experience
Founders rating for safety-critical software: ISO 26262
• Dejan Pangercic: Co-founder and CTO • Bosch and Deepfield Robotics experience
Strategy & • Real-time automotive SDK framework platform • Hardware abstraction: Multiple processors ASIL-D certification. Its companion products,
focus • Leverage ROS 2 and its ecosystem • Building blocks for software-defined AVs Apex.Middleware and Apex.Autonomy, are
• Apex.OS Cert: OS framework and SDK for AVs • ISO26262 ASIL-D certification likely to gain similar safety ratings.
Positioning
• Supporting software-defined vehicles • Languages: C, C++, Python, Rust This is an excellent strategy. Apex.AI’s
• Apex.OS Release 1.3: August 2021; ROS 2-based • Rewritten for auto safety certification technology should prove useful for auto-
Products • Apex.Middleware: Core from Eclipse • Eclipse Cyclone DDS and Eclipse iceoryx motive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, AV software
• Apex.Autonomy Release 1.4: July 2021 • Building blocks for ADAS and AV apps
• Continental: Future software using Apex.OS • Continental develops safety-critical software developers, and those designing safety-
• Green Hills: Integrity RTOS-ISO 2626 ASIL D • Real-time OS for Apex.OS platform critical systems.
Partners & • Tier IV: Developer of Autoware software platform • Autoware-Apex.AI software cooperation It is also likely that Apex.AI will become an
customers • Toyota: Apex.OS for Arene software platform • Toyota’s Woven Planet Group
• Voyage: Used Apex.OS for fixed-route AV vans • Voyage was acquired by Cruise acquisition candidate. ■
• ZF: Future software based on Apex.OS • ZF develops safety-critical software
ROS = robotic operating system; SDK = software development kit This article was originally published on EE
(Source: Egil Juliussen, January 2022) Times and may be viewed at bit.ly/3u0wQ9O.

www.eetimes.eu | MARCH 2022