Global surge in embedded software demand: here is why

Did you know that over 98% of all microprocessors manufactured globally are used in embedded systems? First used in the 1960s for Apollo Program by Dr. Charles Stark Draper at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Embedded Systems are isolated systems, at times standalone or at times a part of a larger assembly, explicitly designed to execute specific function(s) with the use of its hardware and embedded software (read more). Today, embedded systems are being used in numerous fields. From CT and MRI in the hospital, to transportation management systems, industrial robots, and interactive kiosks, embedded systems have revolutionized automation and human-machine interaction. Thus, they are said to be a vital element in the transition to Industry 5.0. Although the hardware of an embedded system is quite similar to other computer systems, embedded software, on the other hand, is quite dissimilar to conventional software, and its demand is rising especially in the wake of the impact of COVID-19 on outsourcing software development outsourcing.  This article, starting with basics, would shed light on Embedded Software, its scope, present state, common applications, and outsourcing its development.

What does this article have in store for you?

What exactly is embedded software?

It may seem astonishing that an average individual makes use of embedded software in day-to-day life! We are living in a world of smart everyday objects, from clothes to watches, pen and furniture, where embedded software plays a vital role. There is a common notion that embedded software is just software for small computers. This definition does not do justice to its importance or scope. As a matter of fact, Prof. Edward A. Lee – a world-renowned computer scientist, electrical engineer, and author – described this view as arrogant and naive. Embedded software is much more, these are “software designed with the principal role of enabling interaction with the physical world”. 

Simply put, ‘Embedded software is specialized programming for specific hardware (an embedded system) that is designed to perform an explicit function in the physical world, again and again’.

Embedded software development differs quite a bit compared to application software development. For example, engineers that develop embedded software are rarely just computer scientists. They are experts in the field of software applications and have a good understanding of the target architecture with which they have to work. It requires a highly-skilled team that best understands both the computers and the physical world. Some recognisable examples of embedded software applications are: system on wireless headphones, motion detection system in security cameras, image processing systems in medical imaging devices, the system tracking fitness on a smart watch etc. More examples are discussed in the section on common examples of embedded software. But before that, let us look at the stats and projections of its market size.

Global Embedded Software Market: Stats and Projections

Since it first appeared in 1960s, the market for embedded software has grown several fold, and is expected to keep its upward trend going in the coming years. According to a report by Global Market Insights, the embedded software market is expected to grow from $ 13.5 Billion in 2020 to over USD 21.5 billion in 2027. These are conservative figures! Automotive (>15%), real-time systems (>8%) and real-time operating systems (>8%) along with other segments such as consumer electronics, manufacturing, healthcare, military & defence, and IT & Telecommunication, would be the major growth drivers. Europe is expected to maintain its 16% to 18% share in the global embedded software market. According to the latest reports, the European embedded software market exceeded USD 2.5 billion in 2020 and is expected to exceed USD 3.64 billion by 2027.  Curious as to why the demand for embedded software is rising? The next section would outline the contributing factors for it.

Embedded software: Why is its demand increasing?

There are several advantages that embedded software brings on the table, such as powerful performance, their small form factor, long lifecycle, they are economical, and have low maintenance requirements. Due to this, its scope is expanding rapidly and its demand is surging. In addition to its advantages and the emerging technological trends, such as: Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Smart and connected automobile and homes, that are integrating with everyday lives of people around the world, further boost its demand.. Other specific factors contributing to the rising demand are the following:

• Increasing demand for consumer wearable electronics: The market size of wearable electronics is projected to grow by USD 41.24 billion by 2025 (read more).
• Growing industrial automation and IIoT, especially in developing countries: The expected market size of industrial IoT is USD 263.4 billion by 2027, a staggering growth of more than 16% CAGR from 2021 (read more).
• Increasing demand for embedded OS in automotives: This segment itself was exceeding USD 4 billion in 2020 and is poised to be valued over USD 10 billion by 2027 as we move towards electric mobility (read more).
• Increasing Applications in connected medical device market: As early as 2025, this segment is expected to be valued at over USD 1.1 Trillion (read more).
• Growing adoption of AI and machine learning in embedded software, which are giving birth to advanced technologies such as embedded machine learning (read more).

In a nutshell, embedded software would be an integral part of devices in all these growing sectors, and hence the future of embedded software applications is bright. However, this does not come without its challenges for companies that seek its development. Hence outsourcing the development to a specialized team is very popular and seems it would remain so in the years to come. 

Common examples of embedded software performing their magic

Embedded Software in MedTech

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Health Services (UK) deployed remote devices to monitor infected patients, as well as those with existing chronic conditions. Remote monitoring devices equipped with embedded software recorded the patients vitals, alerted the patient and the concerned authority if vitals were beyond or under acceptable limits. Such devices were available before the pandemic but were used by few. This necessity-based express adoption and its success have opened a ‘whole new world’, reads the NHS website. The market size of remote patient monitoring is expected to cross USD 3.23 billion by 2025, which will also add to the growing demand for embedded software. Other common MedTech devices equipped with embedded software are CT, MRI, or X-ray that are equipped to process signals and images, so as to provide clearer images to the doctor for diagnostics. Embedded systems and software are also being increasingly used in the mechanisms built for robotic surgeries. It has gained a lot of momentum lately. Another example is the use of auditory devices such as an electronic stethoscope.

Embedded Software in Manufacturing

Embedded systems and software have two major applications for manufacturing, machine control, and machine monitoring. This is an essential part of industrial automation and industrial IoT. Using embedded software, real-time monitoring of temperature, vibration, flow rate, analytics and other variables can be recorded, displayed and also used as input parameters for machine controls to adjust the parameters as required, 

Embedded Software in Logistics

The logistics sector is being transformed with the use of embedded technologies. Competitive and tough markets, in addition to consumers’ demand for faster and cheaper deliveries have prompted logistics companies to seek out-of-the-box solutions to spear ahead of their competitors. Embedded software has been used in autonomous robots and automated guided vehicles, enabling them to receive and execute instructions of move certain item(s) from one place to another in the warehouses. Big tech companies such as Amazon have also implemented autonomous delivery drones with advanced embedded software, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Additionally, embedded software are used in solving other challenges such as effective fleet management, vehicle diagnostic and management, driver safety compliance, etc. 

Embedded Software in Mobility

By 2035, an effective ban on fossil-fuel cars was proposed by the European Union reently. This is a step towards more sustainable mobility solution, that would have embedded systems at its core. Even in conventional fuel vehicles, embedded software is at the whelm of safety systems such as Traction Control, Antilock Braking System, and Electronic Stability Control. Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System on aircrafts, as well as in road cars, also use embedded software. The micro-mobility solutions, such as electric scooters, also have embedded software are their heart, due to which they could be safely rented out through mobile applications. Dubai Metro, is another great example of reliable and efficient functioning of embedded softwares, as thousands of passengers commute in these fully automated metros. Other advanced and automated mobility solutions, such as Hyperloop, are using more complex embedded software, yet have stood the test of efficiency and reliability so far. 

Embedded Software in Smart Homes

Smart homes are not something of the future, but of today! Embedded software can be found in a number of household appliances such as TV, washing machine, heating systems, gas &/or electricity meters, autonomous vacuum cleaners, and in-home displays. These devices have become so versatile that in some cases, once the user selects the mode of operation, these devices manage themselves and carry out the required operation as required without any human oversight over an extended period of time. 

Why outsourcing embedded software development is popular?

As you read, embedded software development is a highly sought after service at present and would continue to boom in the coming years. Embedded software developers require skills well beyond just computer science; hence they are not an easy find and numerous vacancies remain unfilled in this area. For a business, to constitute a team just for developing a single or few software solutions would simply incur higher costs and require a large effort. Additionally, in the end, for most cases the solution would be limited to the expertise of a handful of people if not less. Here are some reasons why outsourcing is popular and an effective way for embedded software development:

• Outsourcing embedded software development would save time, not just in terms of software development, but also in terms of talent hiring and onboarding.
• Outsourcing to an organization with a background in research and business would ensure the use of latest technologies and platform being applied for the resulting product.
• Outsourcing would be more cost-efficient and better budgetary control could be enforced.
• Outsourcing would ensure that experienced professionals would undertake the development of the required software, and would guarantee a working project delivery.
• Outsourcing would help in mitigating risks, as the contractor would be obliged to deliver a working project within the agreed cost and time frame.
• Outsourcing would provide better options for 24/7 technical support, depending on the agreement between the firms

Hence it’s safe to say, that outsourcing embedded software development, is going to remain a popular and effective option for quite some years to come.                                                                                                                                                        

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Dr. Yash Chawla

Content Marketing Advisor, DAC.digital | Asst. Professor, Wroclaw Tech.

Yash is a researcher, academician, and consultant in the field of marketing and innovation management, with keen interest in marketing communications, creative thinking, and sustianable development. He strives to make a positive difference for students, professionals and the society.