Companies announce partnership to qualify Rust libraries for automotive

HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH and Solid Sands B.V. have announced their strategic collaboration to provide a safety qualification of the Rust core library in automotive applications. This partnership combines HighTec's proven automotive-grade compiler technology and tools for Rust and C/C++ with Solid Sands' expertise in library qualification. Combining forces, both companies are meeting the growing demand for efficient, secure, cost-effective automotive application development using Rust. This modern language improves memory safety and ensures interoperability with C/C++ legacy code. It also enhances productivity, making it an excellent choice for future-proof, safety-critical embedded systems.

HighTec offers a unified, single-vendor Rust and C/C++ toolchain solution with long-term availability in automotive grade. As a pioneer in delivering ISO 26262 ASIL D-qualified multi-architecture Rust and C/C++ compiler solutions, it ensures seamless integration and safety compliance. Solid Sands contributes its proven methodologies and test suites for rigorous software verification.

The Rust core library's safety qualification builds on existing and new tests, adding provisions for traceability and complete code coverage. Traceability is crucial for safety-critical Rust applications. This will be integrated into Solid Sands' SuperGuard Library Safety Qualification Suite and developed closely with automotive customers. This approach ensures compliance with real-world automotive requirements while evolving with industry needs.

Using Rust for automotive software development is a strategic move to manage the industry's growing challenges regarding functional safety, security, and system complexity. Its compile-time memory safety, efficiency, improved security features, productivity benefits, and ability to be incrementally integrated with legacy C/C++ code make it ideal for the strict conditions of automotive applications. The partnership between the two companies, which brings a tailor-made comprehensive qualification framework to the automotive industry, will continue to promote the adoption of Rust.

"We've seen a significant increase in demand for Rust, with many customers actively inquiring about our support for Rust toolchain qualification, and we're thrilled to build on our long history of collaborations with HighTec to now work together on Rust toolchain qualification", said Sjoerd van der Zwaan, chief product officer at Solid Sands. "We foresee Rust coexisting with C and C++, reinforcing the need for a fully integrated and qualified toolchain to support the industry's evolving needs."

"This collaboration with Solid Sands underlines our commitment to innovative open source and to provide automotive-grade solutions to the Rust ecosystem", said Mario Cupelli, CTO of HighTec EDV Systeme GmbH. "With this qualification framework, we allow automotive customers to safely combine legacy C/C++ code with Rust and its core library to target the Shift-left and SDV trends, which require cost-efficient, innovative, safe, and secure automotive systems."