Drone Brain Goes Open Source
DARPA and NICTA release the code for the ultra-secure microkernel system used in aerial drones.
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration (DARPA) and Australia’s National Information and Communication Technology Agency (NICTA) have released the code for the ultra-secure embedded microkernel operating system that is used with flying drone devices. The seL4 (Secure L4) system is based on the L4 microkernel. The kernel is available for download at the seL4 system website.
L4 is a microkernel system used in mobile devices throughout the world. A microkernel design implements a modular architecture, minimizing the size of the kernel itself and maximizing the number of services that are able to run in userspace. The modular design and minimal use of code in kernel space means microkernel systems are (at least theoretically) more stable and more secure. Famous microkernels include Minix (which influenced the early development of Linux) and GNU Herd. The L3 and L4 systems were originally developed by German computer scientist Jochen Liedtke, who wanted to build a microkernel that was free of the performance issues associated with previous attempts. Researchers at NICTA joined with DARPA and aviation industry experts to develop seL4 from the L4 microkernel.
The seL4 system came from the need to create a microkernel that could be used in aerial drones and would be completely and verifiably free from the possibility of attack. The code for the kernel has undergone formal verification, a mathematical proof that the algorithms used in the system will perform as specified and won't be subject to intrusion.
Now that the highly stable and secure seL4 is in open source, other vendors will probably start to consider it for other mission critical embedded systems, such as medical implants and navigation devices.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.