Embedded software made easy.

Summit Embedded specializes in designing embedded systems & software. We can help you select the right components for your device and write the software to bring it to life.

Embedded software is any software designed to perform specific tasks, like the software in a household thermostat. You typically aren't installing apps or surfing the web on an embedded device (though some are just as powerful as your phone or PC!)

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Embedded devices typically come in one of two forms:

  1. Microcontrollers (MCUs). These chips boot up instantly and run "bare-metal" code. They are very low cost. Their price is typically between $1-20 for most MCUs, but chips with niche features can go as high as $40 each.

    • Examples include a car's engine controller, a house's electricity meter, or a “not-smart” thermostat.​

  2. Microprocessors (ARM A-core). When you have $50 or more to spend on the chip, you get expanded memory and CPU power to run a "full" OS like Yocto Linux or seL4. These are typically ARM A-core devices.

    These devices combine open-source software from all over the world. It's not as efficient as MCU code. But leveraging open-source software lets you easily integrate complex features. You can add displays, cell modems, and web servers without having to "reinvent the wheel" writing code from scratch.

    • Examples include a car's navigation system, a smart thermostat, or a credit card reader.​

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Summit Embedded specializes in both forms. We'll help you design & build a system with the right components for your application. We won't push expensive parts that you don't need, and we won't charge you to rewrite code that someone else already released open-source.

What is "embedded" software?

What does Summit Embedded do?

At Summit Embedded, we design embedded systems and write the software to tie each component together. We work with all types of embedded hardware - you name it, we can get it up & running.

We can also prepare your software for production. We can write user interfaces to flash devices, provision unique device information, integrate over-the-air updates, and more.

We aren’t a manufacturing facility so we can’t produce devices at scale. However, we have a network of partners that can provide all of the hardware services needed to get your devices out the door. Need help with PCB design, PCB manufacturing, device assembly or ISO26262 certification? We can bring in experts in those fields. See more about our partners on our About page.

Why should you choose Summit Embedded to help with your project?

These are the four things that set Summit Embedded apart:

1) Efficient methodology

Summit Embedded's mission is to deliver embedded software without over-complicating it. We follow a simple process to produce simple software. We also prefer low-cost & open-source hardware & tool chains. For more details on our process, see our Development Philosophy page.

2) Broad Range Of Hardware

Summit Embedded works with all forms of embedded platforms - from the most inexpensive microcontrollers to high-end ARM A-core CPUs. On our About page, you can find a long list of hardware & software we’ve used in the past. And check out our Blog & Past Projects pages to see what we did with that hardware.

Our favorite platforms are STM32 MCUs and NXP i.MX8 Yocto devices. But we love projects where we get to learn something new. If you don’t see your device or tool on this website, we’d still love to discuss your project (Contact us!).

3) Network of Development Partners

To deliver a complete embedded system, your supplier must have engineers in many different disciplines besides just software. You’ll need mechanical engineers, a PCB designer, environmental chambers for testing, legal experts to ensure compliance with applicable requirements, small-scale assembly shops for manufacturing, and more.

At Summit Embedded, we’re laser focused on developing embedded software quickly and efficiently. We accomplish that goal, in part, by not maintaining in-house resources in every discipline mentioned above. But we’re still a one-stop shop! We’ll drive the requirements for the overall system and develop the needed software. In parallel, we’ll leverage our network of partners to provide the other services that your project needs - without the services you don’t need. This optimizes cost & efficiency.

4) US-based with Global Footprint

Summit Embedded is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We work on-site with many local clients here in Southeast Michigan. But we also support business around the globe - from Latin America to New Zealand.​

Summit Embedded also has a satellite office in Bogota, Colombia. Our Bogota team is fluent in Spanish and able to support your needs across Latin America.