Canonical announces public beta of optimized Ubuntu image for Qualcomm IoT platforms

This public beta is the first optimized image to be released under the collaboration between Canonical and Qualcomm® Technologies to bring Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to devices powered by Qualcomm® IoT processors.

December 2, 2024: Today Canonical, the publisher of Ubuntu, and Qualcomm® Technologies announce the official beta launch of the very first optimized image of Ubuntu for Qualcomm® IoT Platforms. Through this beta program, developers will be able to download and use Ubuntu 22.04 LTS for the Qualcomm® RB3 Gen 2 Vision kit, which runs on the Qualcomm® QCS6490 processor. A certified version of this optimized image will be made available soon, adding new features for industrial deployments in industries like robotics. More images are on the way for an even greater number of Qualcomm® IoT Platforms and boards. 

This beta program is completely open to the public: anyone will be able to download and flash the image on the Qualcomm® RB3 Gen 2 Vision kit by following the instructions on the Qualcomm® IoT Platforms portal. 

Join the public beta and download your first image.

“With this public beta, developers using the Qualcomm RB3 Gen 2 Vision kit powered by the QCS6490 processor will have a superior, out-the-box Ubuntu user experience that gives them faster development time, quicker time to market and better scaling for their AI solutions. This public beta image is the first step in our roadmap that truly brings together Qualcomm® processors and Ubuntu to give AI and IoT developers a competitive edge,” said Leendert van Doorn, Senior Vice President, Engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. 

Optimized Ubuntu for faster time to market in AI and IoT

The announcement of this public beta is the latest development in the partnership agreement between Canonical and Qualcomm® Technologies, Inc. By placing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core at the center of its devices and products, Qualcomm Technologies is creating a generation of devices that will give developers: 

• Fast and high-quality AI inference – Easily deploy AI inference, thanks to the optimized image’s hybrid AI-ready system, full hardware AI features and integrated AI SDK and Qualcomm® AI Hub
• Faster time to market – Start working and finish faster, with this full-featured and familiar OS, as well as integrated sample apps and libraries
• Enterprise-ready hardware and software with open-source – Comply with new and existing regulatory standards, thanks to software updates and long-term maintenance and support
• An easy path to scalability and maintainability – Get easier long-term management and scalability thanks to this optimized image’s enabled ecosystem with OEM/ODMs, long-term lifecycle management, and professional services that support commercial deployments

Qualcomm Technologies is actively working with Canonical to help Canonical create an optimized Ubuntu for Qualcomm IoT Platforms, giving developers an easy path to create safety-focused, cybersecurity-rich, security-focused and high-performing applications for multiple industries including retail, industrial, robotics and edge automation. Through the collaboration, developers working with Qualcomm processors will have access to an open-source operating system with reliable support, and optimized flavors of Ubuntu for Qualcomm® software. In addition, optimized Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core images will be available for Qualcomm® processors, helping enterprises to meet their regulatory compliance, and security demands for AI at the edge and the broader IoT industry with an operating system that is supported for up to 12 years.

“Canonical is committed to making Ubuntu the easy, high-performance and trusted choice of OS across the widest range of devices, SoCs and platforms possible. The release of an Ubuntu 22.04 LTS server edition for Qualcomm IoT is the first step in our roadmap to fundamentally change the way enterprises deploy AI and IoT solutions at the edge using Qualcomm® hardware and systems,” said Cindy Goldberg, VP, Silicon Alliance, Canonical

Are you working on a commercial project?

Canonical partners with silicon vendors, board manufacturers and leading enterprises to shorten time-to-market. If you are deploying Ubuntu on Qualcomm® IoT platforms and want access to ongoing bug fixes and security maintenance or if you wish to learn more about our solutions for custom board enablement and application development services, please reach out to Canonical. 

If you have any questions about the platform or would like information about our certification program, contact us.

Download the beta image >

About Canonical

Canonical, the publisher of Ubuntu, provides open source security, support and services. Our portfolio covers critical systems, from the smallest devices to the largest clouds, from the kernel to containers, from databases to AI. With customers that include top tech brands, emerging startups, governments and home users, Canonical delivers trusted open source for everyone. 

Learn more at https://canonical.com/ 

Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated.