ASF Project Spotlight: NuttX

Posted by The ASF Community, Projects

Tell us a bit about the project? When was the project started and why? 
Apache NuttX was started by Gregory Nutt in 2007, because he realized there was no open-source real-time operating system (RTOS) compliant with the Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) and Linux. 

NuttX is an RTOS that emphasizes standards compliance and small footprint, usable in all but the tightest micro-controller environments. It runs on 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit microcontrollers across RISC-V, ARM, MIPS, ESP32, AVR, x86, and other architectures with a high degree of standards compliance. 

What technology problem is the project solving? 
NuttX is highly portable, scalable, configurable and can be used in small footprint environments. These features allow NuttX to be used in a variety of applications, including appliances, wearables, drones, connectivity, rapid prototyping, and industrial IoT. Some examples include: Fitbit smartwatches; Sony audio products; Xiaomi smartphone products; space satellites; and LEV-2 moon exploration robot, among others. 

Why is this work important?
Real-time operating systems are crucial, because they ensure deterministic and timely responses in critical applications, where delays can have severe consequences. An RTOS like NuttX provides high reliability, efficient concurrency and resource management, and low latency, making this technology essential in fields like automotive, healthcare, industrial automation, and telecommunications. 

The value of NuttX being open source cannot be overstated. It allows companies to avoid using expensive hardware to run Linux or pay for commercial products like VxWorks. It also encourages a robust community – from enthusiastic users and hobbyists to large corporations worldwide – to contribute to the project including future improvements and feature enhancements. 

The ASF’s mission is to provide software for the public good. In what ways does your project embody the ASF mission and way? 
NuttX is used to create robust and reliable products that we rely on everyday – from smartwatches to satellites in space. And because NuttX is open source, small companies or hobbyists can use it to create technology that positively impacts the world.

Are there any use cases you would like to tell us about?
NuttX is used to power the Fitbit fitness tracker, as well as satellites, IoT devices, bluetooth headphones, drones, and more. Companies like Google, Sony, and Xiaomi use NuttX in their products. NuttX is also used as the kernel of open-source PX4 project (focused advanced drone flight controllers) and the kernel of Meadow (a .NET IoT framework).

How can others contribute to this project?
You can follow NuttXdevelopment on GitHub (https://github.com/apache/nuttx) and follow discussions on the NuttX mailing list (https://nuttx.apache.org/community/). For additional resources: 

The ASF is home to nearly 9,000 committers contributing to more than 320 active projects. With the support of volunteers, developers, stewards, and more than 75 sponsors, ASF projects create open source software that is used ubiquitously around the world. This work helps us realize our mission of providing software for the public good.

This blog series aims to shine a spotlight on the projects that help make the ASF community vibrant, diverse, and long lasting. We want to share stories, use cases, and resources among the ASF community and beyond so that the hard work of ASF communities and their contributors is not overlooked. 

If you are part of an ASF project and would like to be showcased, please reach out to markpub@aparche.org. 

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