Other cookies are configurable.
OS & Firmware
Custom OS & Firmware Development for Hardware Devices
Firmware and embedded Linux for smart devices: cameras, wearables, IoT gateways, drones and custom Android devices. From choosing the board to a system ready for production, working remotely on your prototypes or on-site anywhere in the EU.
Start small Fixed-price product
Hardware Selection · Feasibility Sprint
Not sure which chip or board to use, or whether your device is feasible? Get a written recommendation in a week, or a full architecture and fixed quote in two.
€990 · €1,990 · + VAT
Who it's for
Who Our Firmware Development Services Are For
From a first board on a desk to thousands of devices in the field.
Building a new device
"Our prototype runs on a dev board. We need the system for the real product."
We help choose the board, build the OS and get you to production.
Device already on the market
"Customers already use it, but the firmware is old and every fix means a technician on site."
We modernise the firmware and add secure updates over the air.
Fleet of devices in the field
"Hundreds of cameras, sensors or drones out there, and no clear view of them."
We build a fleet platform: status, batch updates with rollback, alerts.
Your own Android device
"We need Android on our own phone, tablet or TV box, without the bloat."
We build and maintain your own Android (AOSP) image, with your apps and updates.
The short answer
What Is Custom OS and Firmware Development?
Firmware is the low-level software that makes a device's hardware work. The operating system runs on top of it and hosts your application. Custom development means building both for your specific board and product, instead of a generic image that is too heavy, too slow or impossible to update safely.
Hover or tap a layer: hardware at the bottom, cloud on top
What we do
Embedded Software and Firmware Development Services
From the first line of the bootloader to updates on thousands of devices. Start from the problem you recognise.
Your board works, but there is no system for it?
Embedded Linux Development
A lean, read-only Linux built for your board with Yocto or Buildroot: fast boot, small footprint, only what your product needs.
Battery dies in hours instead of days?
Firmware & RTOS Development
Firmware for microcontrollers on Zephyr or FreeRTOS, tuned for low power, reliable timing and Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
A custom board nobody can bring to life?
Board Bring-Up, BSP & Drivers
We bring up your own board, write the drivers for its chips and sensors, and deliver a board support package your team can build on.
Need Android on your own hardware?
Custom Android (AOSP) Development
Your own Android build for phones, tablets, TV boxes and kiosks: no bloat, your apps preinstalled, updates under your control.
Afraid someone runs modified software on your device?
Secure Boot & Device Hardening
Only signed software can start, debug ports are closed, keys are protected. The groundwork for the EU Cyber Resilience Act.
Every update means a visit on site?
OTA Updates & Fleet Management
Secure over-the-air updates with automatic rollback, and a dashboard to see, update and configure every device remotely.
Devices we work with
Firmware and OS for Smart Devices
The kinds of devices we bring to life, update and keep secure.
Security cameras & smart home
Firmware for IP cameras, video doorbells and smart home hubs: a stable video pipeline, secure updates and a reliable connection to your cloud and app.
Wearables & smartwatches
Low-power firmware for watches, bands and rings, in sync with your app over Bluetooth. Need the app too? See mobile development.
IoT sensors & gateways
Sensors that measure, gateways that collect data from dozens of them and send it to your cloud, even on a weak connection.
Drones & robotics
Flight controller firmware, onboard computers for vision and autonomous missions, and integration of cameras, sensors and sprayers. For inspection, mapping, agriculture and delivery.
Civil and commercial drones onlyAgritech & outdoor devices
Solar-powered field sensors, weather stations and trackers built to run for years outside. We also work in green-space management, so we know the field.
Custom Android devices
Your own Android for phones, tablets, TV boxes, hotel TVs and digital signage: no bloat, your apps preinstalled, kiosk mode and updates under your control.
Remote updates in action
Remote Firmware Updates (OTA) for Your Devices
When you improve your device or fix a problem, every device already in use gets the new version over the internet. No technician, no site visits. This is what you see on the dashboard we build for you.
- Step by step. A few devices first, then all the others.
- Safe by design. If something goes wrong, the device goes back to the previous version by itself.
- Everything in one place. See which devices are online and up to date, wherever they are.
Security and the Cyber Resilience Act
Device Security and EU Cyber Resilience Act Compliance
The Cyber Resilience Act is already here. We build the technical side your devices need to meet it.
- Secure boot and signed updatesOnly software signed with your keys can start or be installed.
- Hardened systemRead-only system, debug ports and unused services closed, minimal attack surface.
- Protected keys and dataKeys kept in a secure element or TPM, sensitive data encrypted on the device.
- SBOM and vulnerability monitoringA list of every software component in each release, checked continuously for known vulnerabilities.
- Security updates for yearsA defined support period, with fixes delivered over the air.
- Ready to report in 24 hoursTechnical documentation and an incident process, so you can notify ENISA on time.
We build and document the technical measures. For the legal assessment of your product, work with your compliance advisor.
Explore Cybersecurity ServicesWhat Clients Say About Our Firmware Development
Their organized approach and clear communication made the entire project seamless and stress-free.
More reviews from our clients
“Their combination of technical expertise and business awareness added real value to the project.”
“We have extremely high standards for skills, trust, speed, and intellect, and Chainweb Corp. meets us as peers.”
“They understand technical topics well and always tried to find the most logical solution for the problem we had.”
How it works
How a Firmware Development Project Works
Five clear steps. You always know what comes next, how long it takes and what you get.
Hardware review or selection
We check the board you have, or help you choose the right chip, board and modules.
Prototype on a ready board
Your product runs on a development board, so you can test it before ordering custom hardware.
System for your board
Drivers, operating system, secure boot and updates, built for your final hardware.
Testing on real devices
On the bench and in real conditions: power, connection loss, updates, security checks.
Launch and support
We help with production, then keep your devices updated and secure over the air.
Steps 1 and 2 are a fixed-price package. Start small, see results, then decide. See prices
Three ways to start
Embedded Development: Remote, On-Site or From Scratch
Pick the line that matches where your hardware is today.
You ship, we build
You have boards or prototypes that fit in a box.
- You send us 2–3 boards or prototypes.
- We build and test the system on them. You follow every step online.
- You receive each version and test it yourself.
Best for: startups and compact devices.
We come to your hardware
Your device is large, installed or on a production line.
- We plan the visit with your team.
- We bring up, flash and test the system where the device is.
- We continue remotely, with updates over the air.
Anywhere in the EU, from our base in Turin.
We help you choose the hardware
You have an idea, but no board yet.
- We compare chips and boards on cost, availability and power.
- We build a first prototype on a ready board.
- You order your own hardware knowing it will work.
Best for: new devices and first products.
Outside the EU? Ship us a prototype and we work remotely. On-site visits can be arranged case by case.
Pricing
Firmware Development Pricing: Start With a Fixed Price
Before a big project, a small one: clear scope, fixed price, real results. Full development is quoted after it, in writing.
Hardware Selection
You are choosing the hardware for a new device.
€990
1 week
- ✓Requirements call with our engineer
- ✓2–3 chip and board options compared on cost, availability, power and support
- ✓Recommended setup and parts list
Feasibility & Architecture Sprint
You want to know exactly what to build, how long it takes and what it costs.
€1,990
2 weeks
- ✓Everything in Hardware Selection
- ✓System architecture: OS, updates, connectivity, security
- ✓Risks and a Cyber Resilience Act checklist
- ✓Development plan, timeline and fixed quote
Sprint + Prototype
You need something that works, to test or to show investors and customers.
from€4,500
3–4 weeks
- ✓Everything in the Sprint
- ✓Working prototype on a ready board
- ✓Ready to move to your own hardware
Swipe to see all packages
If you continue with us, the price of the Sprint is credited towards development. Full development, testing and long-term support are quoted after the Sprint.
On projects from €5,000: you pay 20% less, and in return we publish your project as a case study and you review us on Clutch.
Valid only for new projects confirmed from 12 October 2026. Not combinable with other offers. You give us a 20-minute interview for the case study and permission to show your logo.Our stack
Embedded Systems, Chips and Tools We Work With
Picked for your device and your volumes, never forced. We work with the platforms engineers already trust.
Our clients
FAQ
Firmware & OS Development FAQ
What clients ask us most often about cost, timing, hardware and security.
Hardware review, architecture, development, drivers, testing on real devices, production programming tools, documentation and updates after launch. We can start from your prototype or from existing code.
A driver or a well-defined firmware feature usually starts around €1,500. Firmware for a new device, or an embedded Linux image with BSP, typically costs €6,000–25,000 depending on hardware and requirements. You get a fixed estimate after a technical review.
Small features and drivers take one to three weeks. Complete firmware or an embedded Linux platform for a new product usually takes two to four months, delivered in stages you can test.
Microcontrollers such as STM32, ESP32, nRF52 and NXP, and Linux-capable SoCs such as NXP i.MX, Raspberry Pi Compute Module and Rockchip. If your chip is documented, we can work with it.
Simple, low-power devices are best served by bare-metal code or an RTOS such as FreeRTOS or Zephyr. If you need a display, a full network stack or complex applications, embedded Linux usually pays off. We recommend after looking at your hardware and use case.
Yes, when it makes sense. In most cases a tailored Linux or RTOS build is faster and safer than an OS written from scratch, and we adapt it to your device: boot time, footprint, security and update system.
Yes, ideally two or three development boards or prototypes. We test on real hardware and can work alongside your hardware team or electronics partner.
Yes. We start with a code and architecture audit, fix the critical issues and then continue development with full documentation.
Unit tests, hardware-in-the-loop tests on real devices, long-running stability tests and power measurements, with automated builds for every change.
You do. Source code, build system, signing keys and documentation are handed over to you.
Yes. We develop the mobile app, web dashboard and backend for your devices, so one team owns the whole chain.
We maintain the firmware, ship security patches and new features over the air, and support your production line when needed.
Still have a question? Ask it on a 30-minute call. If an off-the-shelf module would do the job, we'll tell you.
Request a technical assessmentNot Sure Which Service Fits Your Device?
Four ways we help hardware teams. Pick the one that matches where you are.
What Device Are You Building?
Request sent!
We'll get back to you within 1 business day.