The Embedded Systems Industry in 2024: Top Trends & What’s NextThe Embedded Systems Industry in 2024: Top Trends & What’s Next

At the start of the year, I highlighted key trends in 5 Embedded Software Trends to Watch in 2024, predicting the forces shaping the industry. As the year unfolded, many of these trends indeed drove significant change. Now, as we reflect, it’s fascinating to examine these and other trends in action and explore their impact on how we design and develop embedded systems. While there are many trends across the industry, here are the top four.

Trend #1: Artificial intelligence

It’s impossible to ignore the transformative impact of AI in 2024, which continues to shape the embedded systems industry in two key areas:

Generative AI, in particular, gained significant traction this year, revolutionizing how developers create and debug systems. For instance, I delivered a small embedded application that was entirely generated using AI this year. Usually, it would have taken two to three weeks to write from scratch. With the help of AI, I completed it in just two to three days!

That said, AI didn’t do all the heavy lifting alone. Through careful training, direction, and testing, I acted as the system engineer—reviewing and validating the output to ensure it met all requirements. This partnership with AI allowed me to achieve the same results in just 20% of the time it would have taken otherwise.

Related:5 Embedded Software Trends to Watch in 2024

What’s both exciting and concerning is that this technology is still in its infancy. As AI tools mature, we might see a future where much of software development is handled by AI, leaving engineers to focus on higher-level supervisory and system engineering roles. (Fortunately for me, my system engineering background might be useful!)

On the other hand, machine learning has been slower to gain traction in embedded systems. While applications like predictive maintenance and image recognition offer clear benefits, many traditional systems continue to be developed the same way they always have. This resistance to change could leave incumbents vulnerable to disruption from more forward-thinking competitors.

Artificial Intelligence has made significant strides in 2024, and its influence on embedded system design and development will only grow in the years ahead.

Trend #2: The rise of Linux-like embedded software

If there’s one tool that has consistently made waves in 2024, it’s Zephyr. This real-time operating system (RTOS) has garnered incredible momentum, with silicon vendors flocking to support it at an unprecedented pace. By now, the number of development boards supported by Zephyr has climbed into the hundreds, and its low barrier to entry is opening doors for a diverse range of developers.

Related:5 Tips for Learning Rust for Embedded Systems

What makes Zephyr so compelling is its flexibility. It’s a highly modular RTOS that can scale to meet the needs of various applications, from lightweight IoT devices to more-complex embedded systems. Add in its emphasis on security—something that continues to be a top concern for connected devices—and it’s easy to see why Zephyr has been such a game-changer.

One of the most exciting aspects of Zephyr is how it bridges the gap between traditional embedded developers and those with a Linux background. Its Linux-like development environment makes it a natural fit for developers who have honed their skills in the open-source world but are venturing into the embedded space for the first time. This crossover injects fresh talent and ideas into the embedded industry, further accelerating innovation.

Zephyr is not just a rising star—it’s quickly becoming a staple in the embedded ecosystem. Its rapid adoption, strong community support, and ever-expanding capabilities set a new standard for what embedded operating systems can achieve. Expect its influence to grow as developers and organizations look for modern, secure, and flexible solutions to power their next-generation products.

Related:5 C++ Tricks for C Programmers

(If you’d like to see how Zephyr RTOSes performance compares to other commercial and open-source solutions, you can check out my RTOS 2024 Performance Report).

Trend #3: Phasing out C for C++ & Rust

For decades, C has been the bedrock of embedded systems development. Its simplicity and close-to-the-metal design made it an industry favorite. However, in 2024, the industry is increasingly recognizing that C’s age is showing. While it remains one of the most influential programming languages in history, it is also holding back embedded software teams from leveraging modern tools and methodologies that improve productivity, safety, and efficiency.

This year marked a pivotal shift in language adoption. At the start of 2024, C was the second most popular programming language globally. By November, it had fallen to fourth place, surpassed by both Python and C++. This shift is even more pronounced in embedded systems, where nearly 25% of new projects are now developed using C++. As C++ continues to evolve with features like smart pointers and improved memory safety, it has positioned itself as a strong contender to gradually replace C in the coming decades. (To track general programming language popularity, check out the TIOBE Index.)

General Programming Language Popularity (Source: TIOBE Index)

Now, you might be wondering: What about Rust? Rust has made remarkable strides this year and is poised to become a major player in the embedded world. Currently ranked 14th among the most popular programming languages globally, Rust is projected to break into the top ten by the end of 2025. What’s even more impressive is that more than 15% of Rust developers are already using it for embedded systems—a testament to its growing appeal in this space.

In 2024, Rust’s advancements have been nothing short of transformative. Key milestones include:

The shift away from C in 2024 signals a broader movement within the industry—a willingness to embrace modern programming paradigms that prioritize safety, performance, and developer experience. While C++ is leading the charge for legacy systems, Rust is steadily building momentum as the future language, particularly for safety-critical and performance-demanding applications. As this trend accelerates, the embedded industry is on the cusp of a new era of programming.

Trend #4: Cybersecurity & regulatory compliance

Cybersecurity has always been a concern in the embedded systems industry, but 2024 took things to a whole new level. With the continued explosion of IoT devices and connected systems, the stakes for securing embedded systems have never been higher. This year, we saw a growing emphasis on not just building secure systems but also adhering to stringent regulatory requirements designed to protect consumers and critical infrastructure.

One of the most significant drivers of this trend was the introduction of new legislation and standards. In Europe, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) set a precedent, requiring embedded systems developers to incorporate security by design and provide long-term software updates for connected devices. Similarly, the United States continued to push forward with its IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act, focusing on securing government systems and establishing best practices for private industry.

Meeting these regulations hasn’t been easy. Many organizations had to rethink their development processes to include security testing earlier in the design cycle. This meant adopting tools for threat modeling, integrating automated security scans into CI/CD pipelines, and ensuring their firmware met standards like IEC 62443 or ISO/SAE 21434.

Of course, with every challenge comes opportunity. We’ve seen an explosion of new tools and frameworks aimed at improving embedded system security. For instance:

While regulations provided a strong push, the real motivation came from the rising number of cyberattacks targeting embedded systems. From ransomware attacks on IoT devices to vulnerabilities exploited in automotive ECUs, 2024 was a wake-up call for the industry. Developers were forced to take a hard look at their systems and ask whether they were truly secure—or just secure enough to pass basic tests.

Looking ahead, it’s clear that cybersecurity is no longer optional. It’s a fundamental requirement, and companies that ignore it do so at their peril. Regulatory compliance will continue to evolve, setting higher standards for embedded systems developers. For those who embrace this challenge, the payoff is clear: safer systems, stronger customer trust, and a competitive edge in an increasingly connected world.

What’s next? 

As we look back on 2024, it’s clear that the embedded systems industry is evolving at a rapid pace. From the rise of artificial intelligence to the growing adoption of Linux-like operating systems like Zephyr, the transition away from C, and the heightened focus on cybersecurity, this year has brought both exciting advancements and significant challenges. These trends are not just shaping how we build systems today—they’re laying the groundwork for the future.

So, what comes next? As we move into 2025, the industry will continue to adapt to these changes while embracing new opportunities. How will AI tools mature, and what role will they play in automating embedded development? Will Zephyr cement itself as the de facto RTOS for modern systems? How quickly will Rust gain ground over C and C++ in the embedded space? And what new cybersecurity challenges will emerge as connected systems become even more pervasive?

I’ll be diving into these questions and more in my upcoming blog, where I’ll explore the trends, technologies, and challenges that will shape embedded systems in 2025. Stay tuned—it’s going to be an exciting year!