Why Proprietary Operating Systems are Critical in a Safety-Critical Era

Embedded systems are the invisible backbone of safety-critical industries. They underpin everything from autonomous vehicles and industrial robots to life-saving medical devices and even critical infrastructure.

As these systems become more software-defined, with operations, features, and capabilities increasingly dictated by code, the stakes for safety and security have never been higher. Consequently, embedded operating systems (OS) running inside them are no longer mere facilitators, they’re mission critical. 

The Era of Software-Defined Everything  

The rise of “software-defined everything” means that devices and infrastructure are becoming highly dependent on software not only for their operation, but also their ability to adapt over time (via over-the-air updates). While this offers a high degree of flexibility for developers, it also inevitably exposes systems to risks that can’t be ignored. It doesn’t take much for a vulnerability or misconfiguration to turn into a catastrophic failure.

Thus, functional safety and security have moved from optional, nice-to-have features to mandatory requirements sparking strong debate: Open-source or commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) operating systems? 

Open-Source OS: Flexibility Meets Risk 

Open-source OS are popular due to their accessibility, familiarity, and collaborative development models. In fact, a recent global survey conducted by QNX, polling 1,000 embedded software developers and engineers, found that open-source operating systems are the preferred foundational platform for nearly half (44%) of these developers (see video below). However, in regulated and mission- and safety-critical applications, these same qualities can introduce serious challenges.

Unlike COTS operating systems, which are designed with certifiability, deterministic behavior, and secure-by-design architectures in mind, open-source projects prioritize community contribution and flexibility over rigorous safety and security guarantees.

The absence of pre-certified safety compliance means that organizations using open-source solutions must undertake the expensive, time-consuming, and technically demanding task of proving conformance to standards such as ISO 26262 (automotive functional safety) or IEC 61508 (functional safety of electrical/electronic/programmable electronic safety-related systems).

Without a single accountable entity responsible for support or liability, open-source systems can leave manufacturers exposed. 

Why Certifiability, Determinism, and Secure-by-Design Architecture Matter More Than Ever 

In mission- and safety-critical environments like autonomous vehicles, medical devices, and industrial automation equipment, failure isn’t an option. COTS OS are engineered from the ground up to meet these demands: 

• Certifiability: Rigorous development, testing, and documentation processes provide a clear path to compliance with international safety standards. Every requirement is traceable to design, implementation, and verification, creating an audit trail that regulators can trust. 

• Deterministic behavior: Safety-critical systems demand predictable, real-time responses. COTS OS offer deterministic scheduling and resource management to ensure consistent behavior under all conditions.  
• Secure-by-design architecture: Security is embedded at every layer, from secure boot and memory protection to encryption and access control, protecting connected systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. 

These attributes enable organizations to deploy innovations in software without comprising safety or security. That’s a key advantage in a fast-moving, software-defined world. 

When Operating Systems are Engineered for Safety and Security — and When They’re Not

Failing to address safety and security proactively can have severe consequences. Open-source systems in safety-critical applications often lead to lengthy delays due to the need for in-house compliance validation, extensive reengineering when gaps are discovered, and cost overruns. In extreme cases, there can even be harm to human life. 

For industries where mistakes are unacceptable, relying solely on open-source solutions isn’t a risk that an organization can afford to take.

COTS OS are purpose-built to satisfy these demands. Structured development methodologies, formal verification, static and dynamic testing, and exhaustive documentation provide the foundation for compliance with international safety standards. With safety and security integrated from the outset, these systems provide the confidence that manufacturers need to innovate in software-defined domains, while protecting both users and operations.

Collaborative robots — also called cobots — being deployed on factory floors illustrate the critical role of a robust OS. Cobots operate alongside humans, demanding precise, real-time control and increasingly AI-driven decision-making. On top of that, they must be able to adapt rapidly to dynamic environments. The underlying operating system has to integrate seamlessly with sensors, machine-learning algorithms, and safety systems.

A proprietary, certified OS ensures that these robots can deliver efficiency and productivity without compromising human safety, which is something open-source alternatives may struggle to guarantee.

As we move into a future where embedded systems are not only defined by software but driven by it, safety and security are non-negotiable. Though open-source operating systems provide flexibility, the unique demands of mission- and safety-critical applications require certifiability, deterministic behavior, and secure-by-design architecture.

COTS embedded operating systems are purpose-engineered to meet those standards. They deliver the reliability and protection that modern software-defined systems, and the organizations and people who rely on them, can’t do without.