- How Android applications can run in Linux environment

RT-RK, a leading embedded software development house with the background in 
digital TV, Android TV, and infotainment systems, announced today its novel 
concept of virtualization enabling Android applications to run on Linux.

One of the biggest advantages of Android is its ecosystem for app development 
(frameworks, tools, etc.), not only in mobile, but in all its verticals 
(mobile, TV, cars). Billions of devices today run on Android, with all of its 
variations - either supported by Google services, or AOSP to craft an 
independent ecosystem. Widely accepted as an operating system for mobile 
devices, Android has gained its momentum, producing vast variety of 
applications. The abundance widely popular Android applications is a huge 
incentive for devices based on Linux operating system to support some of these 
applications.

At RT-RK they are aware of enormous investments made in the development of 
Linux based devices - Set-Top boxes, TV receivers, infotainment units, etc. 
There is also an understanding that it would be risky and costly to abruptly 
switch Linux for Android, let go of its UI/UX, ecosystem, jeopardize stability, 
which in particular has its place in the automotive world guided by the strict 
safety requirements.

To close the gap, at RT-RK they developed a set of libraries and software 
producing a runtime environment in Linux for Android applications. The concept 
is based on containerization, a similar approach to Android apps enablement on 
Chrome OS, which has been successfully implemented and tested. Containerization 
has several advantages over the hypervisor approach which is currently widely 
used to support both Linux and Android:

    1. Android UI is invisible (no impact on OEM brand identity)
    2. Dynamic memory allocation (potential BOM optimization)
    3. Excludes hypervisor license fee (potential cost saving)

"At this moment, our focus is on the upgrade of graphics subsystem integration 
as well as other performance optimizations. So far we have successfully 
completed integration of different groups of apps such as streaming apps 
(including Netflix), games, maps/navigation, voice assistants (e.g. Alexa) as 
well as multi-display and multi-channel audio features," said Krsto Lazic, 
Business Development Manager at RT-RK.

The container concept will be presented at IBC 2022.

About RT-RK

RT-RK is a premium embedded software development house in the Southeast Europe, 
with a focus on consumer electronics and infotainment systems. The company was 
founded in 1991 and currently employs 500+ engineers. RT-RK has a background in 
being a near shore development center of silicon vendor, networking, 
automotive, and consumer electronics companies. RT-RK operates under the 
umbrella of TTTech Group. https://www.rt-rk.com/  

SOURCE  RT-RK

CONTACT: Media contact: Vera Teslic, Editor-in-Chief, RT-RK, +381 63 560 397