Android on Toradex SoMs
Introduction
Android is an operating system based on the Linux kernel. It is gaining wide acceptance in the embedded market. It offers a low-cost, flexible, and customizable OS for developing high-tech devices.
The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is maintained by Google.
Quickstart
Evaluate Android with a few clicks: Partner Demo Image - Kynetics Android
Android Support on Toradex Products
Supported Modules | Partner | Android Version | Documentation and Resources | Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Verdin iMX8M Plus Quad IT V1.1A/V1.0C | Kynetics | 13.0 11.0 | Kynetics Android Additional documentation and source-code on Kynetics website | |
Verdin iMX8M Mini V1.1A | Kynetics | 11.0 | Kynetics Android Additional documentation and source-code on Kynetics website | |
Apalis iMX8QM 4GB WB IT V1.1B/V1.1C | Kynetics | 11.0 10.0 | Kynetics Android Additional documentation and source-code on Kynetics website | |
Apalis iMX8QM 4GB WB V1.0B | Kynetics | 11.0 10.0 9.0 | Kynetics Android | This is an early-access SoM and should not be used at all. Migrate to Apalis iMX8QM V1.1B/V1.1C as soon as possible, see the PCN |
Apalis iMX8QM V1.0A | Kynetics | 9.0 | Documentation on Kynetics website | Migrate to Apalis iMX8QM V1.1B/V1.1C as soon as possible, see the PCN |
Apalis iMX6 | Kynetics | 7.1.2 | Kynetics Android Additional documentation on Kynetics website | |
Apalis TK1 | Antmicro | 7.1 | Antmicro's AOSP-based industrial Android BSP GitHub repository | Support for the Antmicro Apalis TK1 Smart Vision Kit |
Colibri iMX8QXP 2GB WB IT V1.0D | Kynetics | 11.0 10.0 | Kynetics Android Additional documentation and source-code on Kynetics website | |
Colibri iMX8QXP 2GB WB IT V1.0B | Kynetics | 9.0 | Kynetics Android Additional documentation and source-code on Kynetics website | |
Colibri iMX7 | Kynetics | 7.1.2 | Documentation on Kynetics website | |
Colibri iMX6 | Kynetics | 7.1.2 | Documentation on Kynetics website | |
Colibri T30 Apalis T30 Apalis iMX6 Colibri iMX6 (non-IT only) | Antmicro | 5.1 | Release Notes and Installation Guide Android 5.1 Lollipop Preview Image |
Support for Android on Toradex products is currently provided through our partners. Toradex itself does not provide support for Android. Some of our partners that provide Android BSPs are:
In addition, you can browse our partner network for other Android integrators and service providers.
Detailed Information and Additional Resources
Browse the tabs below for more information about Toradex's partner offerings:
Kynetics Overview
Our partner Kynetics provides full software stacks for the most popular embedded application processors focusing particularly on NXP i.MX SoCs.
Android Binary Images
Install Android on Toradex modules directly from the Toradex Easy Installer:
Alternatively, download the images from Kynetics website (sign-in required):
Android Source-code
The Kynetics BSPs are not free and open-source. Kynetics delivers it with ViBE, a bundled source code and build environment.
Kynetics Services
Kynetics also provides services and utilities related to their Android offerings:
- Update Factory: artifact content and software update delivery.
- SDK Extensions: support for traditional embedded systems hardware interfaces.
- For source-code customization services and support; get in contact with Kynetics.
Android Evaluation BSPs
Kynetics provides Android Evaluation BSP releases for i.MX 8 and i.MX 8X-based SoMs. The BSPs are provided in binary image format. In addition, Kynetics provides binary images for i.MX7 and i.MX6-based SoMs that are provided as-is.
Kynetics BSP Support
The details of the Kynetics and Toradex policy for Android Evaluation BSPs are provided below, please read carefully:
Supported hardware
Please check the supported hardware at Supported Modules and the Latest Android Version.
Other Toradex SoMs and Hardware
Kynetics can on-demand, support all Toradex offerings equipped with NXP i.MX6, i.MX7, i.MX 8 and i.MX 8X SoCs, including custom carrier board designs from customers and partners. You must get in contact with Kynetics for more details.
Evaluation BSP distribution format
- Binary images in Toradex Easy Installer format.
Notes on BSP components
- The U-Boot bootloader is based on Toradex release and NXP release that supports the latest Android BSP.
- The kernel and device tree are based on the Toradex offerings, given that they are aligned with NXP releases to support a particular Android version.
- Android port is customized by Kynetics on top of NXP releases, to support Toradex SoMs.
- Bugs from the NXP release are not necessarily fixed.
- Update Factory OTA client application is supported by Kynetics out-of-the-box.
- The OTA service is a paid offering by Kynetics.
- Kynetics may provide demo applications to showcase hardware access using their proprietary userspace drivers.
Support and customization
Since the BSPs are meant for evaluation, they are not suitable for use in production environments before doing some further customization. You must get in contact with Kynetics for customization and support.
Antmicro Overview
Our partner Antmicro, with extensive experience in embedded/industrial Android, provides demo images on some of our modules. Please contact Antmicro directly if you have any further questions.
Demonstration Images
Images are provided either in binary format or source-code and build instructions:
Supported Modules | Android Version | Antmicro Documentation and Resources | Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|
Apalis TK1 | Nougat 7.1 | Antmicro's AOSP-based industrial Android BSP GitHub repository | Support for the Antmicro Apalis TK1 Smart Vision Kit |
Colibri T30 Apalis T30 Apalis iMX6 Colibri iMX6 (non-IT only) | Lollipop 5.1 | Release Notes and Installation Guide Android 5.1 Lollipop Preview Image | - |
Demo images are provided as-is without any support by Toradex.