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A Cloud Native Workflow for Hardware-in-the-Loop Software Development#

KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2025 (London) digest Program Wildcard pick London · 1–4 April 2025

Abstract Recording

Miguel Angel Ajo, Red Hat — Wildcard

Play the recording: A Cloud Native Workflow for Hardware-in-the-Loop Software Development

  • Why: A genuine crossover between cloud-native tooling and physical hardware testing — using Kubernetes-native CI (Tekton) to drive real firmware flashing, booting, and hardware interfaces (CAN bus, serial, video) rather than simulating them. Not a fit for the PM's networking/identity focus directly, but a "cloud-native reaches into physical hardware" pattern worth having on the radar.
  • What: Jumpstarter, an open-source project connecting a software factory (CI/CD) to physical hardware, automating firmware testing on real devices from within Kubernetes. (from abstract only)
  • How: Tekton Pipelines and GitLab drive device leasing and automation for tasks like firmware flashing and booting, interfacing through serial, CAN bus, audio, and video; Eclipse Che supports the dev/debug loop. (from abstract only)
  • Where applicable: Embedded/firmware development for hardware devices (developed with an automotive manufacturer); the pattern of "Kubernetes-native CI orchestrating physical device labs" generalizes beyond automotive to any hardware-in-the-loop testing need.