PikeOS embedded virtualization is designed to manage virtualization along with the special requirements of complex embedded systems, e.g. real-time responsiveness, deterministic and diverse hardware and software support. While server or desktop virtualization mainly targets on space partitioning to make better use of a x86 hardware platform, PikeOS embedded virtualization offers more flexibility through time and space partitioning. PikeOS embedded virtualization provides partitions for multiple guest operating systems, so-called personalities, and supports diverse hardware platforms.

Safety certification becomes more and more mandatory for software component of embedded systems. Although complex programs apparently cannot be made bug-free, an occasional system failure may be acceptable for a desktop system but by no means for safety-critical embedded systems. A failure of such a system can harm or even kill humans. Therefore, it must be shown to be reliable before it can be allowed to control, e.g. an airplane, a chemical plant, e vehicle etc. The effort of safety certification, whatever it relates to DO-178B, IEC 61508, EN 50128 or ISO 26262, can be reduced significantly if the software design ensures a small trusted code base, reduced software complexity and different criticality levels in complex embedded systems.

Developing embedded applications for embedded virtualization requires specific support from the IDE. The Eclipse-based IDE CODEO support system architects with graphical configuration tools, provides all the components software engineers need to develop embedded applications and includes comprehensive little helpers to finish embedded projects in a time-saving and cost-efficient way: guided configuration, remote debugging (down to the hardware instruction level), target monitoring, remote application deployment, and timing analyses. Of course, CODEO provides standard application development features such as compiler, assembler and linker.