Intel acquires Linutronix, which makes embedded Linux systems

Intel has acquired Linutronix, a company that makes embedded Linux systems, primarily for industrial use. The company’s CTO is already the main maintainer of the x86 architecture in the Linux kernel.

Intel is acquiring the company for an undisclosed amount, Intel writes in a blog post. Linutronix is ​​a company that makes embedded Linux systems, but Intel’s wording implies that the company mainly cares about its employees. The CTO of Linutronix is ​​Thomas Gleixner, who has been a long-time major maintainer of the Linux kernel. Among other things, he works on the x86 elements of that kernel, including the RT-Preempt. Intel emphasizes that it will continue to see Linutronix as an independent company within Intel’s software branch for the time being, with Gleixner at the top.

With the acquisition, Intel says it wants to focus more on developments for Linux, specifically for the kernel. “Intel believes that a successful software ecosystem must be open to grow. Linutronix shares this belief and Intel’s willingness to grow the Linux open source ecosystem,” the company wrote.