Automotive Grade Linux releases UCB 9.0 software platform

Automotive Grade Linux (AGL), an open source project developing a shared software platform for in-vehicle technology, announced the latest code release of the AGL platform, UCB 9.0, also known under the codename “Itchy Icefish.”

Developed through a joint effort by dozens of member companies, the AGL Unified Code Base (UCB) is an open source software platform that can serve as the de facto industry standard for infotainment, telematics and instrument cluster applications.

“The AGL platform continues to evolve and mature based on input and requirements from automakers, several of which are currently using AGL in production vehicles,” said Dan Cauchy, Executive Director of Automotive Grade Linux at the Linux Foundation. “This latest code release includes audio, connectivity and security enhancements, improvements to speech recognition, and many HTML5 demo apps.”

Many AGL members have already started integrating the UCB into their production plans. The 2020 Subaru Outback and Subaru Legacy uses open source software from the AGL UCB, Mercedes-Benz Vans is using AGL as a foundation for a new onboard operating system for its commercial vehicles, and Toyota’s AGL-based infotainment system is now in Toyota and Lexus vehicles globally.

UCB 9.0/Itchy Icefish includes an operating system, middleware and application framework. New updates to the AGL platform include:

Over-the-Air (OTA): Update for ostree (SOTA)
Application Framework: improvements including implementing Token Logic based security
Speech Recognition: Alexa Auto SDK 2.0; improved Speech-API and voiceagent integration; new open source version of display cards for Speech Recognition
Audio: enhancements to PipeWire and WirePlumber
Connectivity: improved networking support and network settings; reworked bluetooth APIs and extended to pbap and map protocols
HTML5 Apps: security converted to using Token Logic; HTML5-only image available using Web App Manager (WAM) and Chromium; HTML Demo apps available for Home Screen, Launcher, Dashboard, Settings, Media Player, Mixer, HVAC, and Chromium Browser
Instrument Cluster: QML Reference Apps: Steering Wheel Controls via LIN to IVI Apps, refreshed Instrument Cluster app that includes CAN messages from Steering Wheel/IVI
Board Support Package updates: Renesas RCar3 BSPs updated to v3.21 (M3/H3, E3, Salvator); enhanced support for SanCloud BeagleBone Enhanced + Automotive Cape support; i.MX6 using etnaviv (cubox-i target); enhanced Raspberry Pi 4 support