Bringing the simplicity of software development to hardware for IoT (Internet of Things) by using the embedded OS, developer kit, core services, and developer console, Google has introduced its new Operating System – Brillo. It was announced at Google I/O in May-2016, and since then, no further details were shared by Google.
Brillo has mainly three elements:
- Developer Kit
- Core Platform Services and
- Android-based Embedded OS
The BDK (Brillo Developer Kit) runs on Ubuntu 14.04 and is based on the build architecture of Android.mk. it can perform local unit tests and individual integration tests with its extensive testing tools. The developer kit can integrate with the current test and integration environments. The ADM (Android Debug Bridge) can be used to inspect, test, and update the target devices.
The core platform services include Weave to help devices connecting with the network securely. The Weave is the cross-platform, a common language for Brillo. Weave-enabled devices can be connected to the mobiles and desktops and can talk seamlessly with each other. The Android devices will automatically detect Brillo and Weave enabled devices. The core services also include Metrics component, which collects usage data from the user permitted devices. The updated version of the software and patches can be pushed by the administrators via OTA (Over-The-Air).
The Android OS is an open source software. It gets updates every six weeks with an LTS build support update every six months. Brillo can target Intel, ARM, and MIPS architecture with a built from the source code. It can run on devices with the configuration of at least 32MB of RAM and 128Mb of storage. Google is working with its hardware partners to announce the compatible boards to Brillo. These boards are and will be tested and certified to work with the current and future versions of the Operating System. Every Brillo compatible board will come with the proper documentation and samples. All this information shows that Google is ensuring the best developer experience with keeping its devices up-to-date.
Brillo will support Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, and other Android things. Check the advanced and main features of Brillo for IoT:
- You can flexibly prototype the custom applications, also you can move prototype to production easily. All other things are already built-in.
- A single developer console provides the services of device scaling with OTA updates, runtime metrics, and crash reports.
- You can build a single iOS or Android app to control multiple devices in your work or home environment with Google services like voice actions.
- Built-in Weave will give the confidence to users for working on their connected devices each other.
- It has a built-in automatic setup and easy-to-use sharing.
- It also has a built-in security feature limits the exposure to attacks, allows you to quickly recover compromised devices, and uses hardware and software encryption to easily secure all your data.
- It works on very low power devices with a minimum of 32MB RAM and 128MB storage capacity.
- You can choose from a variety of customizable options and hardware capabilities to develop with Brillo.
- It will be compatible with specifically designed boards from Intel, Qualcomm, Marvell, NXP, and Imagination.
Until the point of introducing Brillo, Google was quite on its IoT plans, especially since it has acquired Nest last year. Running on very low powered devices and communicating with the other nearby connected devices will make it very useful for the developers all around the world. It can power any electronic device which can connect to the Internet, whether it has a digital screen or not. It will make to build everything from making “smart fridges and light bulbs” to the garden monitors like IoT devices. Surely, Brillo will bring a new revolution in Internet of Things (IoT).