Flutter is an open-source framework from Google for developing modern, cross-platform user interfaces. With a shared codebase, applications can be built for the web, mobile and embedded systems.
Together with our partner hexDEV, we help companies to deploy Flutter on OE/Yocto, our embedded Linux platform based on the Yocto Project.
A key advantage of Flutter is the reuse of source code. User interfaces and large parts of the application logic do not need to be redeveloped for each platform. Instead, applications for the web, mobile and embedded systems can be built from a single codebase.
This reduces development effort and simplifies the maintenance and further development of a product throughout its entire lifecycle.
For manufacturers of touch panels, smart building solutions or embedded devices, this means that the same application can be used on different end devices – from mobile service tablets to permanently installed control panels.
Whilst Flutter is already fully supported on mobile operating systems, Embedded Linux places additional demands on the runtime environment. In addition to the actual user interface, graphics acceleration, input devices, window management and integration with the operating system, amongst other things, must be reliably implemented.
It is only these components that enable the stable operation of an embedded application in an industrial environment or in building automation.
With OE/Yocto, tci offers a high-performance embedded Linux platform based on the Yocto Project. It is individually tailored to the respective hardware and forms the basis for high-performance and maintainable embedded systems.
Among other things, OE/Yocto handles the customisation of the Linux system, hardware integration, build management and the long-term maintainability of the platform. This results in a reproducible software base for series-production products.
To ensure that Flutter can realise its full potential on embedded Linux systems, we are collaborating with our partner hexDEV.
hexDEV has developed a native Flutter embedder that integrates the Flutter engine directly into the embedded Linux runtime. As a result, Flutter applications run natively rather than being rendered as web content.
This enables high-performance user interfaces with smooth animations, fast response times and a direct connection to the embedded system.
The solution integrates seamlessly into Yocto-based Linux systems and is the ideal complement to OE/Yocto.
Many manufacturers of building automation solutions or industrial computers are already using Flutter – often in conjunction with Android. However, as hardware ages or manufacturer support comes to an end, the question arises as to whether the platform is future-proof.
Outdated Android versions often no longer receive security updates and only meet current cybersecurity or long-term maintainability requirements to a limited extent. At the same time, there is a desire to continue using the existing Flutter application rather than having to develop it from scratch.
This is precisely where the collaboration between tci and hexDEV comes in. Together, we support companies in porting existing Flutter applications to OE-Yocto, our embedded Linux platform based on the Yocto Project. Thus
The combination of Flutter and OE/Yocto is particularly well suited to applications with modern graphical user interfaces, such as:
Kiosk and information systems
Customised embedded devices with graphical user interfaces
Thanks to the shared code base, applications can be developed and maintained in parallel for embedded systems, the web and mobile devices.
The collaboration between tci and hexDEV brings together two complementary technologies.
hexDEVprovides the software foundation with Tempo2Market, the OE/Yocto-based Linux distribution, hex-browser and the native Flutter embedder. tci integrates these components into its industrial touch panel systems and implements the solution in its series-production touch panel systems.
This provides our customers with an end-to-end solution – from the embedded platform right through to the finished user interface.
Flutter is increasingly becoming an interesting and proven technology for embedded systems. The ability to develop applications with a shared codebase for web, mobile and embedded systems reduces development effort and simplifies the maintenance of complex products.
Combined with OE/Yocto and hexDEV’s native Flutter integration, this creates a powerful platform for modern embedded applications in building automation, industry and many other areas of application.
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