ST and HighTec EDV-Systeme Join Forces to Enhance Safety in Software-Defined Vehicles
- Chinmay
- February 12, 2025
- News, Semiconductor Industry
- AI in automotive, ASIL D, automotive safety, autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, Embedded Systems, functional safety, HighTec, ISO 26262, Microcontrollers, Rust programming, SDV, software-defined vehicles, STMicroelectronics
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STMicroelectronics (ST) and HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH are accelerating automotive functional safety by offering a comprehensive solution that integrates Rust programming language with ST’s Stellar microcontrollers, both certified to ISO 26262 ASIL D standards. This collaboration aims to enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) while making them more cost-effective.
Rust and the Future of Automotive Safety
The automotive industry is shifting towards software-defined architectures, where programmable systems replace traditional hardwired electronic control units (ECUs). This transition enables greater flexibility, over-the-air updates, and feature differentiation across vehicle models.
- Rust’s Safety and Reliability: Rust is gaining traction in automotive software development due to its memory safety, thread safety, and robust data type protections, making it an ideal choice for mission-critical automotive applications.
- Stellar Microcontrollers: ST’s Stellar MCUs, built on Arm® Cortex®-R52+ cores, are the first 28nm microcontrollers to be certified to ISO 26262 ASIL D standards. They also meet ISO 21434 cybersecurity and UN155 regulatory compliance requirements.
- HighTec Rust Compiler: HighTec has developed the first Rust compiler qualified to ISO 26262 ASIL D, enabling developers to integrate Rust with legacy C/C++ codebases to build secure, high-performance automotive applications.
Davide Santo, Automotive Microcontroller Business Unit Director at ST, highlighted the importance of this partnership:
“Software-defined principles are transforming vehicle design, replacing traditional ECUs with programmable systems. Our collaboration with HighTec ensures automakers can leverage Rust while meeting the highest safety standards.”
Mario Cupelli, CTO at HighTec EDV-Systeme, emphasized the synergy between Stellar MCUs and Rust technology:
“ST’s Stellar MCUs, the first 28nm components certified to ISO 26262 ASIL D, are a natural fit with our Rust compiler, enabling a complete safety-assured solution across hardware, software, and development tools.”
Faster Development Cycles for Safer Vehicles
As automakers face increasing pressure to reduce development timelines while ensuring compliance with evolving safety regulations, this collaboration provides a seamless development environment with ASIL D-qualified tools.
Key Benefits of the ST-HighTec Collaboration
- Enhanced Safety: Rust’s safety features prevent memory leaks and thread-related vulnerabilities, crucial for safety-critical automotive applications.
- Seamless Integration: Developers can use Rust alongside existing C/C++ codebases, ensuring a smooth transition to modern software-defined vehicle architectures.
- Shorter Time-to-Market: By integrating HighTec’s ASIL D Rust compiler with ST’s Stellar MCU platform, automakers can accelerate the development of safety-critical systems.
- Regulatory Compliance: The solution aligns with ISO 26262 ASIL D, ISO 21434 cybersecurity, and UN155 automotive safety standards.
A Strong Vision for the Future of Automotive Software
This partnership strengthens ST and HighTec’s vision of developing innovative solutions for next-generation vehicles. The integration of Rust with ST’s Stellar microcontrollers marks a significant advancement in functional safety, cybersecurity, and software efficiency in automotive technology.
As software-defined vehicles (SDVs) continue to evolve, ST and HighTec are ensuring that automakers have access to the safest, most reliable, and high-performance software development tools available.
Could Rust become the standard for next-gen automotive software?
