Top Embedded Software Development Companies

Embedded software is computer software that controls machines or devices. Embedded software is specialized to a particular hardware that runs with time and memory constraints. It operates as the "brain" behind your smartwatch or electric vehicle, controlling its movements and functions.

Embedded systems are fundamentally different from traditional software on desktops, applications, or mobile devices. It might follow many of the same development principles like Agile, Scrum, and more, but its lifecycle is also longer, more involved with prototyping, and often more expensive.

Core characteristics include:

• Limited user interfaces
• Specific tasks
• Real-time constraints within tightly controlled systems
• Safety considerations
• Niche programming languages: C or C++
• Hardware-specific tailoring

For example, it's less likely that traditional software might require precise, real-time updates like an exercise tracker or heart pacemaker. Traditional software is unlikely to be portable, while embedded software is typically compact and physical. Traditional platforms are also cloud-based and built on popular languages like Python or Ruby on Rails, vs. more niche languages like C or C++.

Embedded systems offer attractive benefits, especially for interconnected, resource-constrained devices. It enables automation without human intervention, unlocking a ton of applications and functions across different industries. Unlike the often unlimited processing, memory, and storage functionality of traditional software, these applications are meant for extreme efficiency in resource-constrained environments.

This makes it crucial and possible to power real-time devices on the go with time-sensitive tasks and crucial safety operations. Embedded software is built to be the microprocessor in a fitness ring or the sensor in a real-time detection system in an electric vehicle. It even makes up the smallest system components.

Take a look at some of the top benefits of embedded software:

• Optimized energy performance
• Significantly lower power consumption
• Cost efficiency
• Real-time responses
• Improved reliability and dependability
• Compact size with high processing power

Embedded software in action is around us every day. From the software in our smartwatch to the temperature control on your smart home thermostat, embedded software is found across almost every industry and function. The US embedded software market is expected to reach $9.9 billion by 2032, growing rapidly over the next few years, thanks to smart devices and connected ecosystems. Even as consumers themselves create billions of data points every day with smart devices, the storage and processing power of these systems is becoming more crucial.

Common Applications Across Industries

Think of any electronic device, and there is most likely a simple or complex embedded system making it run. From seizure detection bracelets for patients to smart farms creating the perfect food-growing conditions, embedded systems power some of the most exciting technology available. They're also some of the most exciting innovations with the latest advancements in AI, machine learning, computer vision, and more.

• Consumer Electronics: Digital watches, smart glasses, headsets, televisions, wearables, video game consoles.
• Automotive: Electronic vehicle systems, navigation, safety features, real-time displays, lane assistance, and real-time object detection.
• Medical Devices: Pacemakers, insulin pumps, remote patient monitoring systems.
• Industrial: Factory floor robots, process control systems, predictive maintenance sensors, agricultural and smart farms.
• Home Appliances: Washing machines, smart thermostats, security systems, microwave and oven systems, motion detection, baby and kid monitoring technology.
• Telecommunications: Modems, routers, network equipment, 5G infrastructure support.

Complexity Range

Even though it always sounds sophisticated, there are varying degrees of complexity. Whether it's a few lines of lightweight code or complex code with millions of lines stored in the cloud, the development of top systems can range from lightweight prototypes to sophisticated systems that may take upwards of a year to bring to market.

Embedded systems can vary from a few lines of lightweight code to millions of integrated systems stored in the cloud. When building top embedded software products, development ranges from fast, lightweight prototypes to sophisticated systems that might take years to bring to market.

Simple systems

Small, resource-constrained systems like a basic temperature sensor or TV control panel run on microcontrollers with limited memory and processing power. For example, the lighting controls on an 8-bit microcontroller with a few kilobytes of memory are straightforward compared to the inner workings of a missile defense system.

Core characteristics include limited external interfaces, real-time responses, and a lightweight code base.

Moderately complex systems

More moderately complex situations require some integrations, deeper functionality, and more sophisticated logic. Examples could include baby monitors, smart appliances, or fitness rings or watches.

Core characteristics of these products might require a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless connection, a real-time operating system, and light integrations with other software.

Complex systems

These are the most sophisticated and large-scale integrated software that require high performance, advanced connectivity, and a deep software stack. Examples include aircraft systems, missiles, smart factory robotics, or medical imaging devices.

Core characteristics include robust operating systems, real-time data processing, extensive code bases, and cloud integrations.

It's crucial to find the right embedded software development partner. Many businesses waste tons of time on the wrong developers, a misaligned tech stack, and low-quality code that derails projects for months.

Embedded engineers and development companies are a make-or-break. Working with the right partner helps design an efficient, reliable, and scalable system, no matter how simple or complex. Plus, ideally, it's a long-term partner you can build with for the future. This creates consistent processes and code frameworks that speed up development and accelerate go-to-market.

Utilizing Techreviewer.co is simple and fast, and gets you in front of the best companies for your project. Plus, it's free for you, and we do the work. No more searching through dozens of companies, reading case studies, and filling out contact forms.

• Define your project goals and requirements: We'll ask you the device type, required features, timeline, and budget.
• Research companies: Use Techreviewer's filters to shortlist companies by industry focus, technology stack, location, and client ratings. Ensure their pricing and value proposition align with your goals.
• Review expertise and past work: Look for companies with relevant case studies and specific industry experience. Use Techreviewer and its huge database of case studies from different companies. Browse to find the right fit of budget, scope, development style, and past results.
• Assess communication and fit: Consider their project management approach, responsiveness, and cultural alignment. This makes or breaks the working relationship, especially if project timelines lengthen or development gets tricky.

Closely compare different development companies to quickly navigate hardware constraints, manage complex interconnect requirements, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Embedded software is not cheap, so you want to make sure you're following specific criteria for choosing the right partner.

It's a perfect mix of technical expertise, industry knowledge, certification, transparent pricing, and in-house resources. Accelerate your go-to-market with the right embedded software development services at your side.

Technical expertise

There's nothing more frustrating than working weeks with a development partner only to realize they don't have the technical depth you thought. Look for proven experience with the required hardware and software technologies.

For example, a surgical robot manufacturer should look for technical depth with real-time operating systems, sophisticated motion control, and medical device compliance. This requires deep sensor integration, actuators, and crucial safety software that meets strict industry regulations.

Industry knowledge

Similar to the right technical expertise, the right partner is familiar with your sector's standards and challenges. This saves months of ramp-up time and knowledge sharing, accelerating product development. Each industry has such specific needs, especially as complexity scales.

An embedded software development company should be expert practitioners and hands-on developers within a specific sector.

Certifications & compliance

Especially important for regulated industries (ex: ISO 13485 for medical, ISO 26262 for automotive, HIPAA for healthcare), it's mission-critical to choose a partner with proven experience in adhering to strict requirements. The right partner is not just hands-on with coding and development but also knows the ins and outs of documentation, audit trails, testing, and validation required.

For example, HIPAA-compliant embedded software companies are aware of any regulations around role-based access controls, time-out limits, and audit trails. They're prepared and ready to create this documentation.

In-house resources

Software development for embedded systems is also most valuable when there is access to hardware labs, prototyping capabilities, and end-to-end delivery. Instead of slicing in dicing the software development process amongst different companies, centralizing development reduces the likelihood of errors and even saves on costs.

Transparent pricing and support

Launch day is exciting, but it's often only the first step. Ongoing maintenance, product iterations, and updates are key to keeping systems secure and up-to-date throughout their lifecycle. Look for clear cost structures and post-launch maintenance.

Also, it's important to look for a partner that's leveraging the latest technology. Embedded systems tools move quickly, and even some methodologies from just a few years ago are already out of date. For example, many developers are shifting to an open-source architecture that allows for more flexible and cost-efficient solutions. Having a partner on the cutting edge of what's new creates a powerful, robust product.

According to different sources, developing embedded systems ranges anywhere from $20,000 to $150,000, depending on project complexity, hardware, required features, and specific technologies involved. Also, development costs with US-based or offshore development agencies play a crucial role as well.

Before starting a search for an embedded developer, consider your budget regarding prototyping, materials, engineering resources, quality assurance, and testing. Talk with several companies to get a feel for varying types of budgets, such as lightweight prototyping or full-scale development and maintenance.

Cost Range Overview

Embedded system development costs can vary wildly depending on industry, development team size, testing and quality assurance processes, compliance regulations, and the need for ongoing maintenance.

For example, highly regulated industries within manufacturing, healthcare, finance, or defense require significantly more in-depth testing, specific components, and documentation. Compared to a more straightforward consumer product, this might skyrocket the development price significantly.

Cost Factors

Core cost considerations are hardware, complexity, interconnectivity, timeline, and scope. However, all of these are also different levers to pull if the budget is a serious constraint. For example, maybe an MVP works for a prototype versus a robust, in-depth product. Perhaps different integrations are more of a nice-to-have than a need. Perhaps a cheaper hardware material instead of a top-of-the-line option significantly saves costs across development and testing.

Hourly Rate Considerations

Many embedded software development companies work on a per-project or retainer basis, but there's also the option to explore hourly work. Whether that is through freelancers or a development agency, be prepared to pay roughly $62 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter. For the most experienced embedded development engineers, be prepared to pay roughly $90 an hour.

Also, take into consideration utilizing an embedded development company that houses quality engineers, developers, testers, and project managers all in one. Trying to piecemeal these roles together is often more expensive than consolidating within a single company. The benefits of vendor consolidation are streamlined project management, less rework or human error, centralized documentation, and increased productivity.

Again, seeking offshore development resources lowers that price, but it's important to align your budget with the technical depth and quality required.

End-to-end software development delivery is crucial for both innovation and go-to-market. Top engineering teams mix hands-on hardware experience with proficiency in essential programming languages, along with system-level skills for unique applications. Also, your ideal partner is testing, validating, and debugging throughout the process with strong project management coordination skills as well.

Core Technical Skills

The core of any embedded system can be boiled down to core technical skills.

A reliable and maintainable system must have the following: an efficient programming language and hardware knowledge. Thus demonstrating core technical skills.

Essential Programming Languages

Embedded system projects do not have the luxury that traditional software development has; embedded system projectsmust perform reliably as intended, or disaster could ensue. According to the American Heart Association, between 500,000 and 700,000 pacemakers are implanted annually; the code running these pacemakers cannot afford to fail. To ensure reliability and performance, teams must select programming languages specifically designed for high performance.

New methodologies are being introduced to streamline the development process, enabling the delivery of reliable and efficient embedded systems to consumers sooner than previously thought possible. Engineers have integrated these tools into their processes to improve the rate, accuracy, and efficiency of their code.

To create systems with low-level hardware control, programmers and engineers turn to C Programming. For object-oriented embedded development, C++ is the go-to choice. To ensure optimized performance and direct processor control, use Assembly language.

Hardware Knowledge

Engineers need to write code that runs efficiently, interacts with different systems, and makes the most of low-power environments. Deep hardware knowledge means the final product is secure, reliable, and ready for use. Engineers must understand and be able to execute on the following: interfacing with MCUs (Microcontroller expertise), understanding various architectures and peripherals (Microprocessor understanding), and how hardware and software interact in the system (Circuit design basics).

System-Level Skills

Specific, system-level skills are the heart of strong technical development. This brings together code, real-time constraints, and interconnectivity across different interfaces to create the most basic fitness wearable or the mostsophisticated medical imaging device. For task management in time-sensitive applications, embedded software engineers turn to real-time operating systems (RTOS).

For complex system configurations and programming, Linux systems are the go-to choice. The system's device drivers determine the development of the hardware abstraction layer. The standards for serial communication are I2C, SPI, and UART. For legacy communication protocols, engineers rely on RS232 and RS485.

Debugging and Testing Capabilities

Smart, thorough testing and debugging are vital to bringing a successful product to market. This involves testing systems under real-world conditions, ensuring important components are working as expected. For hardware debugging, engineers use logic analyzers and oscilloscopes. In the event the platform needs to be debugged, JTAG and software debuggers help engineers find the root cause.

Secondary Skills

Hardware, software, and system-level technical depth aren't enough. Software development companies should also create energy-efficient systems, manage projects effectively, deliver on time, and maintain version control. This creates a smooth development process that yields high-quality systems that are reliable and maintainable. Examples of secondary skills required in development are Python, version control, energy-efficient system design, digital signal processing (DSP), lifecycle management, and project management.

Robust embedded systems require the perfect mix of programming languages, hardware capabilities, debuggers, modeling tools, and operating systems. All of these technologies work together to create strong code databases, reliable testing prototypes, and eventually, a smart product. Common technologies and tools include:

• Programming languages: C, C++, Python, Assembly
• IDEs: Qt Creator, MPLAB X, Visual Studio, Eclipse, NetBeans
• Hardware: Microcontrollers (PIC, AVR, ARM Cortex), development boards
• Operating systems: RTOS, Embedded Linux
• Debuggers: ST-Link, Segger, VisualGDB
• Simulation and modeling: MATLAB, Simulink

Traditional software development focuses on standard computing devices like desktops, servers, or personal laptops. Popular tools like SaaS platforms, accessible mobile apps, or legacy desktop tools are traditional software.

Embedded software is/has:

• Specifically tailored for hardware, whereas traditional is agnostic and easily transplanted.
• Stricter processing power capabilities that require energy efficiency; traditional often has abundant resources.
• No direct user interface vs. a focus on user experience.
• Firmware update requirements vs. simply downloading from the cloud or an app store.

When choosing a partner, focus on specific embedded software development expertise, deep industry knowledge, technical expertise, proven case studies, recommendations, and communication style. If you're familiar with traditional software development, it's a similar vetting process to find the right development partner for the long term.