Software Technology Manager
What made this project work was not just technical execution, but the quality of the dialogue throughout. Struers brought a clear specification and deep HMI experience; Witekio brought expertise in Yocto-based embedded systems and the i.MX8 Mini.
When requirements ran into practical constraints, both teams worked through the trade-offs together. Scope was refined mid-course, always on the basis of shared technical reasoning.
Delivery was structured in incremental stages, with working prototypes provided early and often, giving Struers the opportunity to test and give feedback continuously.
Witekio built the Yocto image from scratch using Avnet’s LDK BSP as the foundation.
The result is a lean, reliable operating system tailored to Struers’ hardware: fast startup times, a custom splash screen, and a browser-based interface for machine interaction.
The image is designed to be reused across different machine models with minimal rework, giving Struers a scalable foundation for future products.
OPC UA (IEC 62541) is used to read and write machine variables — including display brightness and display calibration — enabling seamless communication between the HMI and the industrial controllers.
Struers specified the protocol, the authentication model, and the level of encryption required. Witekio implemented it in line with those requirements, selecting a server implementation suited to the project’s constraints.
Rather than implementing Over-the-Air updates, Witekio integrated SWUpdate for local network-based firmware updates which was a deliberate fit for Struers’ industrial environment, where machines are not cloud-connected.
The system uses AB switching to ensure that a failed update never leaves a machine inoperative. Witekio and Struers both conducted rigorous testing before sign-off.
The delivered platform meets Struers’ requirements and, in several respects, exceeds what their original reference system offered, with greater flexibility and a more maintainable architecture.
The software image can be deployed across different machine models. Updates are handled reliably over local networks. The system is robust and secure.
Beyond the initial delivery, the collaboration has continued in a different form. Struers retains full ownership of the codebase. Witekio provides ongoing support and maintenance, giving Struers’ development team access to embedded expertise without requiring a dedicated resource of their own.
