German embedded computer companies Congatec and Kontron have collaborated on a modular and secure embedded platform.

This sees the integration of KontronOS, Kontron’s secure, Linux-based operating system, with Congatec’s application-ready aReady.Com hardware and software building blocks. This integrated approach is designed to simplify and accelerate the development of security and application products that comply with IEC 62443.

Thanks to the partnership with Kontron, KontronOS is now available as part of the aReady.Com (www.congatec.com/en/aready/areadycom/) portfolio. This allows customers to receive application-ready modules with a pre-installed and licensed operating system. The combination of Congatec’s hypervisor technology, KontronOS and Kontron AIShield separates mission-critical core functions from IoT components, improving system security.

“With KontronOS, we are offering a secure, modular and standardised platform that will be available across all modules in the long term,” said Hannes Niederhauser, CEO of Kontron. “It will serve as a foundation for future innovations. At the same time, we are responding quickly to new technological requirements driven by the CRA directive and the evolution of AI. We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Congatec to deliver even more powerful and secure options for our customers. 

Dominik Ressing, CEO of Congatec, added: “We are expanding our application-ready embedded computer hardware and software building blocks with the secure KontronOS. This enhancement provides aReady.Com customers with greater flexibility and security. With aReady.Com, customers can bring secure, innovations to market faster, reducing non-recurring engineering costs and total cost of ownership. We are delighted that Kontron is supporting our aReady strategy with KontronOS, and we are excited that this joint solution is now available to our customers.”

KontronOS is subscription-based and available on aReady.Com. It is extendable with modules such as Kontron AIShield and Kontron Grid, which can be added as needed. KontronOS helps users achieve CRA compliance for their products, reducing overall costs.

Building on the partnership established with Kontron (www.kontron.com) in May 2025, which combines the computer-on-module expertise of both companies, Congatec (www.congatec.com) will continue to supply embedded modules for Kontron.

Congatec was founded in 2004 by former Kontron employees.