How many computers do you own and use? One? Two? Even more? Chances are that even in a technology averse household, it is more likely some dozens.

All of these small computers do not appear out of thin air. People design, manufacture and test them, software is developed and maintained for them. And still, this whole ecosystem of so-called “embedded systems” is hardly present on the minds of its users and consumers.

Let's understand the concept of an embedded system to get started, then take a rocket ride through the technologies and concepts involved. We will find a lot of open source software along the way!

Once we have finished the trip, you will see: “Open source runs the world, but the world doesn’t know about it.”