News

Eclipse Foundation Survey Highlights Open-Source Surge in IoT and Embedded Systems

• By John K. Waters
• December 3, 2024

The Eclipse Foundation, one of the world’s largest open-source software organizations, has released its 2024 IoT & Embedded Developer Survey, shedding light on key trends and challenges shaping the Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems industry. The findings reveal a growing reliance on open-source technologies to tackle issues such as sustainability, safety, and security across diverse industries.

The 10th annual survey, conducted in collaboration with the Eclipse IoT, Sparkplug, and Oniro Working Groups, and the ThreadX Project, captures insights from nearly 750 global developers, architects, and decision-makers. It highlights a dynamic shift toward sustainability-focused applications and safety-certified use cases in sectors like automotive, healthcare, and energy management.

"The results of the 2024 IoT & Embedded Developer Survey highlight the remarkable role that open-source plays in an increasingly diverse IoT and embedded computing landscape," said Mike Milinkovich, executive director of the Eclipse Foundation, in a statement. "From home automation to safety-critical automotive systems, developers are turning to open source to address complex challenges, drive innovation, and promote sustainability."

Key Findings: Sustainability and Safety Take Center Stage

• Sustainability Applications Diversify Industry Focus: While industrial automation (34%) and automotive (29%) remain dominant, the survey shows significant growth in sectors emphasizing sustainability, such as energy management (29%), environmental monitoring (23%), and healthcare (18%).

• Connectivity and Security Top Developer Concerns: Connectivity challenges, though slightly reduced (48% compared to 52% in 2023), remain a priority for developers. Security concerns climbed to 35%, reflecting the importance of safeguarding data and systems in a rapidly growing IoT ecosystem.

• Evolving Security Strategies: Developers are increasingly focused on communication security (40%), over-the-air updates (32%), and secure boot (19%) to address rising threats. Advanced strategies, including analytics and anomaly detection (16%), supplement these primary defenses.

• Demand for Safety-Certified Solutions: Nearly half (47%) of developers prioritize certifications like IEC 61508 and ISO 26262, underscoring the growing need for safety-critical solutions in automotive, medical, and industrial systems.

• Embedded Linux Dominates While Zephyr Gains Momentum: Linux remains the leading operating system for IoT and embedded development (46%), followed by FreeRTOS (29%). Real-time operating systems like Zephyr (21%) and ThreadX (13%) are seeing increased adoption, driven by their performance and safety features.

• MQTT Protocol Leads, New Contenders Emerge: MQTT retained its top spot among industrial IoT protocols with 56% adoption, up 7% from last year. Meanwhile, emerging protocols such as Eclipse Zenoh gained traction, reflecting rising interest in innovative communication technologies.

• Open-Source Engagement on the Rise: Open-source technology usage surged, with 75% of developers leveraging these solutions in 2024, compared to 63% in 2023. Active participation as project committers also grew, reaching 24% this year.

Innovation Through Collaboration

The survey underscores the increasing reliance on open-source solutions to meet advanced requirements for safety, security, and connectivity. From enhancing automotive safety to addressing environmental challenges, open-source tools are becoming indispensable in driving industry innovation.

“The collective commitment to open, collaborative development models is empowering developers to meet the growing complexity of IoT and embedded systems,” Milinkovich said.

A Vibrant Open-Source Ecosystem

The Eclipse Foundation supports a robust IoT and embedded technology ecosystem, including initiatives such as Eclipse IoT, Sparkplug, Oniro, and the ThreadX Project. These collaborations drive innovation across IoT specifications, protocols, and hardware, fostering industry-wide advancements.

The complete 2024 IoT & Embedded Developer Survey report provides in-depth insights into platform adoption, challenges, and emerging opportunities within the IoT ecosystem. Developers and stakeholders can download the full report and learn more about the Eclipse Foundation’s initiatives on its website.