The use of embedded systems has multiplied exponentially over the last two decades. These small computing processors control one or more functions in the element in which they have been fitted (a machine in a factory or a means of transport, for example) and have hundreds of applications, many of which are of a critical nature from the safety perspective.
One of the big challenges facing European industry is to integrate more and more functions into fewer devices and to make them more energy efficient without losing a single iota of dependability. The idea is to cut the number of devices in the various systems by incorporating functionalities of a different type, which previously required several devices, into a single device.
To achieve this, more and more work is being done to increase the processing capacity of each device. So SAFEPOWER will be developing systems equipped with multiple processors (multi-core), as opposed to those that only have one processor (single-core). This will allow savings to be made in resources and energy as a single embedded system will be capable of handling a range of functions.