Build Ecosystem RISC-V: Not Just A Technical But Also A Cultural Shift

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TASKING GERMANY GmbH

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RISC-V is no longer a niche technology. Especially in the automotive industry, the instruction set architecture is enjoying growing popularity. Christoph Herzog, Co-CEO of Tasking, comments on the opportunities and challenges.

For years, the automotive industry has been trending toward more software in vehicles, aiming to bring the software-defined vehicle to the road. Increasingly, functions are no longer determined by hardware but by software. However, for software to fully leverage its flexibility advantages in vehicles, the underlying hardware must also provide the necessary foundation. This is where RISC-V comes into play, as RISC-V introduces openness and flexibility to the hardware world. This represents not only a technical shift but also a cultural transformation.

Of course, the shift to open standards is a challenge for the entire industry. However, we have already successfully managed such transitions to open standards in the automotive industry. One example is the shift to AUTOSAR. At Tasking, we have learned a lot from these transitions and can now apply these insights to the path ahead.

The insights gained at that time, which are useful for RISC-V, can be divided into three main topics:

• Bridge between two worlds: We invest in toolchains that support both current systems and new RISC-V platforms. Our RISC-V compiler is based on the same proven technology as our TriCore tool, which is considered an industry standard. Our role as a provider of software tools is to make this transition as seamless, secure, and efficient as possible.
• Safety first: In the automotive industry, safety is indispensable. We address this challenge by ensuring that our tools meet the same safety and cybersecurity standards required by the industry and by collaborating with semiconductor and RISC-V IP providers like Infineon and Synopsys.
• Education and Ecosystem Development: We support the growth of the RISC-V ecosystem by collaborating with partners to offer solutions for virtual prototypes and starter kits, enabling software development ahead of semiconductor manufacturing. This allows developers to work with RISC-V architectures even before the hardware becomes available, accelerating ecosystem development and reducing time to market.

On the path to software-defined vehicles, RISC-V offers the standardization and ecosystem needed to usher in a new era of innovation and collaboration in the embedded sector.

Therefore, I see no particular challenges in implementing open standards. On the contrary, the automotive and software tool industries have long demonstrated that open standards are not only feasible but also highly beneficial. Commercial success in these industries has never depended on keeping standards proprietary but rather on the quality, performance, and user-friendliness of their implementation. In this context, open standards are not an obstacle but the foundation.

Tools for the Transformation

I am convinced that all our products must be ready for RISC-V. At the previous Embedded World, we already demonstrated how our products can be used to compile and debug the code running on Infineon's virtual prototype.

The design considerations for the compiler remain consistent, focusing on optimizing execution speed and code size while meeting goals for functional safety and cybersecurity. However, debugging and verification, which account for about 50 percent of development costs, should not be overlooked. Tasking's winIDEA debugger has long been available for Infineon's virtual prototypes. It supports software developers by hiding the complexity of the virtual model and providing a comprehensive debugging experience, including features like OS-based debugging and profiling, even on virtual hardware solutions.

The advantage of using our tools is that all test and debug scripts developed for the virtual model can be reused as soon as physical hardware becomes available.

Cross-Industry Collaboration is Becoming Increasingly Important

I assume that collaboration between companies in the automotive sector will become increasingly structured, transparent, and technology-driven in the coming years. The complexity of modern vehicles—particularly given the growing importance of software-defined architectures, electrification, and autonomous systems—requires an unprecedented level of cross-industry collaboration.

As a compiler and tool provider with a focus on functional safety and cybersecurity, we observe a growing convergence between semiconductor companies, automakers, Tier-1 suppliers, and tool providers. This convergence is driven by the need to meet strict safety standards and cybersecurity regulations. These challenges can only be effectively addressed through early and intensive collaboration across the entire supply chain.

We believe that the future lies in ecosystems where every player contributes their expertise but operates within a shared framework of trust, traceability, and compliance. This is not just about technical integration but also about cultural adaptation and long-term partnerships.

This is also evident in the fact that the RISC-V community is something truly special: when meeting at conferences or similar events, there is always a unique atmosphere, characterized by open collaboration and high energy in the room. It is incredibly inspiring to see people from diverse backgrounds come together, so freely exchange ideas, and genuinely build on each other's perspectives.

A part of an ecosystem that is often overlooked is the user. However, user feedback is crucial for shaping the ecosystem. This mindset is nothing new for Tasking: the tools are used by developers who create systems that must meet high standards of reliability, performance, and compliance. This means that we cannot afford to work in a vacuum.

Ultimately, a healthy ecosystem is one where all players—semiconductor manufacturers, tool providers, and users—are in constant dialogue. Feedback is the link that holds this dialogue together and ensures that innovations are both relevant and sustainable. (se)

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