What is Embedded Hardware?

Embedded hardware refers to computer hardware systems that are integrated into other devices or products to provide specific functions or features. These systems are designed to perform a specific task or set of tasks and are typically used in devices such as smartphones, smart home appliances, automotive systems, industrial automation equipment, and medical devices.

Embedded hardware design typically includes a microprocessor or microcontroller, which serves as the “brain” of the system, as well as other components such as memory, input/output interfaces, sensors, and actuators. The hardware is designed to be compact, low-power, and highly reliable, as it is often used in applications where it is difficult or costly to replace or repair the hardware.

Embedded hardware is often programmed with specialised software, called firmware, which is tailored to the specific needs of the device or product. This firmware is stored in non-volatile memory, which means that it does not require power to maintain its contents.

Localising Embedded Hardware Production:

Localising the production of embedded hardware in India can have several benefits for companies, especially those operating in the electronics and technology sectors. Some potential benefits of localising production in India may include:

Reduced costs: India has a relatively low cost of labour compared to other countries, which can help reduce production costs. Additionally, India has a well-developed supply chain for electronics, which can help further reduce costs.
Access to a large market: India is a large and growing market for electronics and technology products, and localising production can help companies better serve this market.

Government support: The Indian government has been actively promoting Make in India for the development of the electronics and technology sectors, and offers various incentives and subsidies to companies that invest in these sectors.
Skilled workforce: India has a large pool of skilled engineers and technicians, which can be a valuable resource for companies looking to develop and produce embedded hardware.

However, some challenges may be associated with Localising the production of embedded hardware in India, such as logistical and infrastructure issues, regulatory and legal hurdles, and cultural differences. Companies looking to localise production in India should carefully assess these factors and develop a comprehensive strategy to address them.

Embedded Hardware Examples:

Consumer electronics: Smartphones, smartwatches, digital cameras, gaming consoles, and smart home devices such as thermostats, security systems, and voice assistants.

Automotive systems: Engine management systems, anti-lock braking systems, airbag systems, and infotainment systems.

Medical devices: Pacemakers, insulin pumps, blood glucose monitors, and medical imaging equipment.

Industrial automation: Programmable logic controllers, robotics, sensors, and control systems for manufacturing processes.

Aerospace and defence: Avionics systems, navigation systems, and missile guidance systems.

Communication systems: Routers, switches, modems, and satellite communication systems.

Home appliances: Refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances with advanced features such as smart connectivity and automation.

Energy management: Smart grid systems, solar inverters, and battery management systems.

Embedded hardware can be designed and manufactured for localising production of embedded hardware by specialised companies or by the companies that produce the end products into which the hardware is integrated. As the demand for more advanced and sophisticated embedded systems continues to grow, the development and production of embedded hardware services are becoming increasingly complex and specialised.

Embedded Research & Development:

Embedded research and development (R&D) in India has been growing rapidly in recent years, with the country emerging as a major hub for technology and innovation. India offers several advantages for localising the production of embedded hardware companies and organisations looking to conduct embedded R&D, such as:

Highly skilled workforce: India has a large pool of skilled engineers and scientists, with expertise in areas such as embedded systems, software development, and hardware design.

Favourable business environment: India has a liberalised economy and a pro-business government, which has made it easier for companies to set up R&D facilities and collaborate with academic institutions.

Low costs: India has relatively low costs of labour and operating expenses, which can help reduce the cost of R&D activities.

Supportive government policies: The Indian government has been actively promoting Make in India for the development of the technology and innovation sectors, offering various incentives and subsidies to companies and organisations that invest in R&D.

Access to a large market: India is a large and growing market for technology products and services, providing opportunities for companies and organisations to test and refine their products in a real-world setting.

However, some challenges may be associated with embedded R&D in India, such as infrastructure constraints, regulatory and legal hurdles, and cultural differences. Companies and organisations looking to conduct embedded R&D in India should carefully assess these factors and develop a comprehensive strategy to address them. It is also important to work with reliable and experienced partners and suppliers to ensure quality and timely delivery of R&D outputs.

Embedded Manufacturing in India:

Embedded manufacturing in India has been growing in recent years, with the country emerging as a major hub for electronics and hardware production. India offers several advantages for localising the production of embedded hardware to companies looking for  manufacturing embedded hardware, such as:

Low labour costs: India has a large pool of skilled workers, with a relatively low cost of labour compared to other countries. This can help reduce production costs and make Indian products more competitive in the global market.

Government support: The Indian government has been actively promoting Make in India for the development of the electronics and hardware sectors, offering various incentives and subsidies to companies that invest in these areas.

Favourable business environment: India has a liberalised economy and a pro-business government, which has made it easier for companies to set up and operate manufacturing facilities in the country.

Access to a large market: India is a large and growing market for electronics and hardware products, and local manufacturing can help companies better serve this market.

However, some challenges may be associated with localising the production of embedded hardware manufacturing in India, such as infrastructure constraints, regulatory and legal hurdles, and logistics issues. Companies looking to manufacture embedded hardware in India should carefully assess these factors and develop a comprehensive strategy to address them. It is also important to work with reliable and experienced partners and suppliers to ensure the quality and timely delivery of products.

Components Availability in India:

India is home to many hardware component manufacturers, and there are several companies that specialise in embedded hardware components. Some of the top embedded hardware component manufacturers in India include:

Texas Instruments India
Cypress Semiconductor India
Atmel India
STMicroelectronics India
Microchip Technology India
NXP Semiconductors India
Analog Devices India
Infineon Technologies India
Renesas Electronics India
Maxim Integrated India

These companies provide a wide range of embedded hardware components such as microcontrollers, sensors, amplifiers, analogue-to-digital converters, power management ICs, and many other components. India also has a growing startup ecosystem focused on developing and manufacturing embedded hardware products, which has led to the emergence of several innovative companies in this space.

embedded hardware

Embedded Sales & Service:

Embedded sales and service in India can be challenging due to the diverse and complex nature of the Indian market. However, there are several advantages to establishing sales and service operations in India, such as:

Large and growing market: India has a large and growing market for embedded products and services, driven by factors such as increasing digitisation, rising consumer spending, and government initiatives to promote technology adoption.

Highly skilled workforce: India has a large pool of skilled engineers and technicians, who can provide technical support and after-sales service for embedded products.

Favourable business environment: India has a liberalised economy and a pro-business government, which has made it easier for companies to set up sales and service operations and collaborate for localising the production of embedded hardware with local partners.

Cost-effective operations: India offers relatively low costs of labour and operating expenses, which can help reduce the cost of sales and service operations.

However, there may also be some challenges associated with embedded sales and service in India, such as:

Complex regulatory environment: India has a complex regulatory environment, with various rules and regulations that govern the import and sale of electronics and technology products.

Infrastructure constraints: India’s infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, can be inadequate, which can make it challenging to establish and maintain sales and service operations.

Cultural differences: India has a diverse and complex cultural landscape, which can require companies to tailor their sales and service strategies to local needs and preferences.

Logistics issues: India’s vast geography and diverse population can make it challenging to efficiently distribute and service embedded products across the country.

To overcome these challenges, companies looking to establish embedded sales and service operations in India should carefully assess the market, develop a comprehensive strategy, and work with reliable and experienced local partners and suppliers.

Demand for Embedded Systems:

The demand for localising production of embedded hardware in India has been increasing in recent years, driven by several factors such as:

Increasing digitisation: India is experiencing rapid digitisation across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education. This has created a growing demand for embedded hardware devices that can support these digital services.

Growing consumer electronics market: India has a large and growing market for consumer electronics, driven by rising incomes, changing lifestyles, and increasing awareness of new technologies.

Government initiatives: The Indian government has launched several initiatives to promote Make in India for the use of localising production of embedded hardware technology in various sectors, such as Digital India, Smart Cities Mission, and Make in India, which has boosted the demand for embedded hardware products.

Increasing focus on innovation: India has a thriving startup ecosystem, with a growing number of startups and innovators developing new embedded hardware solutions for various applications.

Emerging industries: India is also emerging as a hub for new and emerging industries such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and smart agriculture, which are driving demand for embedded hardware devices therefore the need for localising production of embedded hardware is even more than ever.

However, the demand for embedded hardware in India is also influenced by factors such as affordability, reliability, and ease of use. Companies that can offer cost-effective, reliable, and user-friendly embedded hardware solutions are likely to be successful in the Indian market. Additionally, companies that can provide local support, service, and training will have an advantage over competitors who do not have a local presence.

Embedded hardware plays a critical role in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, enabling the various systems and components in an EV to function efficiently and safely. Some of the key embedded hardware components used in EVs include microcontrollers, sensors, power electronics, and communication modules.

Microcontrollers are used in the EV’s BMS control systems, such as the battery management system (BMS), motor control unit (MCU), and vehicle control unit (VCU). These microcontrollers process data from various sensors and control the various systems in the EV, such as the battery charging and discharging, motor speed and torque, and vehicle braking.

Sensors, such as temperature, pressure, and current sensors, are used to monitor various parameters in the EV, such as the battery temperature, state of charge, and power output. These sensors provide the necessary data to the microcontrollers, which then make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the EV is operating safely and efficiently.

Embedded hardware plays a critical role in vehicle tracking systems, enabling real-time monitoring and management of vehicles. Some of the key embedded hardware components used in gps trackers include GPS modules, communication modules, microcontrollers, and sensors.

GPS modules are used to determine the location of the vehicle, providing real-time data on the vehicle’s location, speed, and direction of travel. This data is transmitted to the central server using communication modules such as GPRS, 3G, 4G, or satellite communication, enabling real-time tracking and monitoring of the vehicle.

Microcontrollers are used to process the data from the GPS and other sensors, such as temperature and fuel level sensors, and communicate with the communication modules to transmit this data to the central server. These microcontrollers can also control various functions of the vehicle, such as remote engine immobilisation, in the event of theft or other security breaches.

Sensors are used to monitor various parameters of the vehicle, such as fuel levels, engine status, and driver behaviour. This data can be used to optimise the vehicle’s performance, improve fuel efficiency, and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

In addition to these components, vehicle tracking systems may also include other embedded hardware components, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, which can be used to detect and report on driver behaviour, such as harsh braking or acceleration.

Overall, embedded hardware plays a critical role in vehicle tracking systems, enabling real-time monitoring and management of vehicles. As the demand for vehicle tracking systems continues to grow, the importance of embedded hardware and software in this industry is only expected to increase.

Power electronics, such as DC-DC converters, inverters, and chargers, are also important embedded hardware components in EVs. These power electronics convert the DC power from the battery to the AC power needed to drive the motor, as well as regulate the power flow to and from the battery during charging and discharging.

Finally, communication modules, such as CAN, LIN, and Ethernet, are used to enable communication between the various systems and components in the EV. These communication modules enable real-time data exchange between the microcontrollers, sensors, and power electronics, allowing the EV to operate safely and efficiently.

Overall, embedded hardware plays a critical role in the EV industry, enabling the various systems and components in an EV to work together seamlessly. As the demand for EVs continues to grow, the importance of embedded hardware in this industry is only expected to increase.

Future:

The future of embedded hardware in India looks promising, with several factors contributing to its growth. India has a large pool of talented engineers and scientists, which has led to the emergence of several hardware startups and R&D centres focused on developing embedded hardware solutions.

One major trend that is expected to shape the future of embedded hardware in India is the Internet of Things (IoT). As more devices get connected to the internet, the demand for embedded hardware components such as microcontrollers, sensors, and communication modules is expected to rise significantly. India is well-positioned to capitalise on this trend, given its large and growing software industry, which can develop applications and services to leverage IoT devices.

Another area of growth for embedded hardware in India is the automotive industry. With the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles, there is a growing demand for embedded hardware components such as sensors, microcontrollers, and communication modules to enable advanced features such as driver assistance, safety, and connectivity.

The government of India has also taken several initiatives to promote Make in India for the growth of the embedded hardware industry. For example, the National Policy on Electronics 2019 aims to promote the domestic manufacturing of electronics and hardware components, which includes embedded hardware. The government has also launched several schemes and programs to support hardware startups and encourage R&D in this area.

Conclusion:

Overall, the future of embedded hardware in India looks bright, with several factors driving its growth, including IoT, automotive, and government support. With a large pool of talent and a supportive ecosystem, India is well-positioned to become a leading player in the embedded hardware industry.