Choosing the right build system for your embedded Linux product is a strategic decision that can significantly impact development velocity, maintainability, and vendor alignment. Over the years, tools like Buildroot and Yocto (OpenEmbedded) have aimed to simplify the creation of custom Linux distributions.
Today, many silicon vendors have converged on a common standard: the Yocto Project.
Yocto offers a powerful and flexible framework for building custom Linux systems, with its recipe-based architecture and broad package support. But is it always the right choice?
This session will explore when Yocto is the best fit—and when it might not be. We’ll compare it with alternative build systems, highlight key decision criteria (such as team expertise, product lifecycle, and ecosystem support), and share practical guidance to help R&D leaders make informed, future-proof choices.