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AI, Rust and C/C++ for Automotive Innovations: HighTec Demonstrates Multi-Architecture, Multi-Language Development Platform

HighTec Development Platform for automotive software development across multiple architectures, programming languages Rust and C/C++, and modern technologies including AI and model-based design
Saarbruecken, Germany, March 10, 2026 – As vehicle architectures evolve toward centralized and software-defined systems, automotive developers require flexible toolchains that support heterogeneous hardware platforms, modern programming approaches, and emerging workloads such as AI and model-based development. With the HighTec Rust and C/C++ Development Platform, HighTec EDV-Systeme demonstrates for the first time how a single LLVM-based compiler environment supports modern automotive software development with a unified workflow across multiple processor architectures and programming languages like Rust and C/C++. In addition, the platform enables developers to efficiently deploy AI models based on the standardized ONNX format as well as model-based control algorithms to innovate even faster.

Optimized for AI and Model-Based Development

The automotive-grade HighTec Rust and C/C++ Development Platform supports Model-Based Design (MBD) and AI-based workloads that are increasingly used in advanced automotive systems. The compiler generates optimized code for Parallel Processing Units (PPUs) integrated in Infineon AURIX MCUs, enabling efficient execution of compute-intensive control algorithms directly on automotive microcontrollers. For Data Flow Accelerators (DFAs), the platform provides unique support by generating target-optimized code directly from MATLAB models, allowing algorithms to run significantly faster e.g. on the host CPU. In addition, an ONNX2C tool enables developers to seamlessly generate highly optimized C code from trained ONNX neural network models using advanced graph optimization and quantization techniques. This allows efficient integration of AI models with existing C/C++ code on automotive hardware and hence maintains deterministic behavior required for safety-critical systems.

One Platform for Multiple Automotive Architectures

The HighTec development platform provides a unified compiler environment for a wide range of automotive processor architectures. This includes Infineon TriCore™ / AURIX™ TC4x MCUs, Renesas RH850 microcontrollers, ARM® Cortex®-A/R/M processors and RISC-V architectures, e.g. RT-Europa Platform from Quintauris for safety-critical automotive applications. HighTec’s multi-architecture support enables automotive software developers to maintain a consistent development workflow across different ECU platforms while optimizing software for each target architecture.

Rust and C/C++ for Future-ready Automotive Software

The HighTec Rust and C/C++ Development Platform furthermore enables developers to integrate new software components written in modern Rust with legacy C/C++ code. This hybrid development approach allows automotive software teams to introduce a new memory-safe programming language while maintaining proven software components and established automotive software workflows.

Automotive-grade Open-Source Technology

The HighTec Rust and C/C++ Development Platform is based on the latest open-source compiler technology LLVM 19. The toolchain is qualified according to the highest automotive functional safety standard ISO 26262 up to ASIL D and supports compliance with the cybersecurity standard ISO 21434. This combination allows developers to adopt advanced programming languages and development methods while meeting the stringent reliability and security requirements of automotive systems.

“Especially now in the era of software-defined vehicles, automotive software development is becoming increasingly heterogeneous,” said Mario Cupelli, CTO of HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH. “Developers need flexible toolchains that support multiple processor architectures, programming languages, and modern workloads such as AI and model-based design. Our safety-qualified HighTec Rust and C/C++ Development Platform addresses this need with a unified compiler environment.”

HighTec at embedded world 2026

At embedded world 2026 (March 10–12, Nuremberg, Germany), hall 4, booth 4-432, HighTec will present live demos on multi-architecture builds, Rust-to-C interoperability, and AI acceleration on TC4x PPUs. Visitors can also meet HighTec’s engineers to discuss Rust, embedded AI and future automotive RISC-V architectures.

For more information on the HighTec Rust and C/C++ Development Platform, please visit www.hightec-rt.com/products/development-platform.
 
About HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH

HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH, Saarbruecken/Germany, is the world’s leading commercial provider of compiler solutions built on cutting edge open-source technologies. For over three decades, HighTec has been pioneering the transformation of open-source software into automotive- and industrial grade solutions. The company offers ISO 26262 ASIL D certified tools for embedded software development, the PXROS-HR real-time operating system, and a comprehensive suite of design-in services.

HighTec’s ASIL D qualified Rust and C/C++ compilers for leading multicore microcontrollers in the automotive and industrial sectors, including Arm®, TriCore™/AURIX™/TRAVEO™, Renesas RH850, RISC-V, Power Architecture (PowerPC), and Embedded AI accelerators, are continuously adapted and optimized for new architectures through close cooperation with silicon partners.

In addition to the multi-architecture compiler, HighTec offers PXROS-HR, a safety-certified multicore RTOS for applications with safety and multicore requirements. PXROS-HR guarantees robustness, safety, high performance, and data security in real-time environments. PXROS-HR is certified according to ISO 26262 ASIL D / IEC 61508 SIL 3 and is complemented for ASIL D development by a Tool Qualification Kit as a basis for the certification of customer applications.

Complementing this portfolio, HighTec offers development, training and consulting services.

Founded in 1982, HighTec is a privately held company and operates offices in Germany (headquarters), Hungary, China, and the United States, providing global reach combined with strong local engineering support.

For more information about HighTec EDV-Systeme GmbH, visit www.hightec-rt.com.

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