Android was designed originally for use in consumer electronics such as tablets and phones. Due to its wide proliferation, there are now many needs for developing imx 6 based android hmi platforms — finding applications in industrial HMI, auto-infotainment, kiosk systems, and machine operator interfaces. Simplicity, portability, low cost, and a rich GUI are some of the key advantages of using Android in such applications. This blog covers how Embien ported Android Lollipop to the SECOSBC-A62, an industrial-grade imx 6 based android hmi platform from SECO.
Freescale iMX6 based SECOSBC-A62
On the hardware front, there are a lot of low cost development boards like Raspberry Pi/Raspberry Pi+, TI's Beagleboard/Beaglebone, Freescale's SABRE platforms, UDOO board, Allwinner based Cubie platforms, Rockchip platforms, Intel boards etc. While these platforms are ideal for many applications, using them for a qualified industrial application is not possible as they are not industrial grade systems. Of the few options available, the latest offering from SECO — the A62 SBC — is an ideal choice for imx 6 based android hmi development. Available in multiple variants, features of the SECOSBC-A62 board include:
- Processor – Freescale i.MX6 Series – i.MX6S/i.MX6DL/i.MX6Q
- Memory – 1GB DDR3L, 64-bit interface
- Graphics – Integrated Graphics, with up to 3 separated HW accelerators for 2D, OpenGL® ES2.0 3D
- Video Interfaces – 1 x Dual Channel or 2 x Single Channel 18/24 bit LVDS interface HDMI connector
- Mass Storage – 4GB eMMC disc soldered onboard, microSD Card slot
- Networking – Gigabit Ethernet connector, Internal USB connector for Wi-Fi Module
- USB – 2 x USB 2.0 Type-A ports and 1 x USB 2.0 internal connector, USB micro-B Client port
- Audio – AC'97 Audio Codec Realtek ALC655 with Mic-In, Line-Out audio Jacks
- Serial Ports – 1 x Serial (TTL level), 2 x Serial (RS-232), 1 x CAN (TTL level)
- Other Interfaces – Dedicated connector (I2C, GPIO signals) for external Touch Screen controller, MIPI-CSI Camera connector
- Configurable expansion connector with:
- Up to 28 GPIO
- SPI interface
- SPDIF Audio interface
- CAN interface (TTL level)
- SDIO interface
- PWM
- I2C
- UARTs
Android for Industrial HMI on the iMX6 Platform
Android for Industrial HMI applications demand a combination of rich graphical capability, reliable real-time I/O handling, and long product lifecycle support. The i.MX6 processor family is well-suited to Android for Industrial HMI deployments due to its integrated GPU, multi-display support, and wide availability across industrial-grade carrier boards. An imx 6 based android hmi system can drive LVDS panels, HDMI displays, and capacitive touchscreens simultaneously — making it a versatile choice for Android for Industrial HMI kiosk, control panel, and machine operator interface applications. The SECOSBC-A62's industrial temperature rating, extended component availability, and rich peripheral set make it an excellent foundation for an imx 6 based android hmi product. Embien's QT Application Development Services complement imx 6 based android hmi deployments by enabling cross-platform HMI UI development targeting both Android and embedded Linux environments on the same hardware.
Android Lollipop on iMX6 based SECOSBC-A62
Embien has ported Android Lollipop on iMX6 based industrial grade SECOSBC-A62 platform. The video below demonstrates the imx 6 based android hmi running on the SECOSBC-A62, showcasing the Android Lollipop UI, touch input, and display output working on the industrial hardware.
Porting Android to Custom Hardware: The SECOSBC-A62 Approach
Porting Android to Custom Hardware on the i.MX6 involves configuring the bootloader (U-Boot), integrating the BSP kernel with the correct device tree definitions, writing or adapting HAL modules for the board's peripherals, and validating the full Android software stack on the target. Porting Android to Custom Hardware on industrial-grade boards like the SECOSBC-A62 requires additional attention to thermal management, long-term hardware availability, and compliance with industrial environmental specifications. Unlike consumer development boards, industrial platforms demand rigorous bring-up and stability validation. Embien's Product Engineering Services cover end-to-end Porting Android to Custom Hardware — from bootloader bring-up and kernel configuration through HAL integration, system-level testing, and production readiness review.
Embedded OS for NXP/Renesas/TI Processors
An embedded OS for NXP/Renesas/TI processors must be carefully selected and configured based on the processor's memory map, peripheral set, power domains, and available BSP support. For imx 6 based android hmi platforms, Android is typically built against NXP's BSP kernel release, which includes the necessary device tree definitions, clock configurations, display driver support, and multimedia acceleration hooks for the i.MX6 SoC family. Teams choosing an embedded OS for NXP/Renesas/TI processors must also consider the long-term kernel maintenance and Android version upgrade path, particularly for industrial products with multi-year deployment lifetimes.
What is Android Porting and BSP Development?
What is Android porting and BSP development? Android porting is the process of adapting the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to run on a target hardware platform that differs from Google's reference devices. BSP (Board Support Package) development involves writing the kernel drivers, device tree files, bootloader configurations, and HAL modules required for the target SoC and board peripherals to function correctly within Android. What is Android porting and BSP development in the context of industrial hardware? It is the foundational engineering work that makes imx 6 based android hmi solutions possible on custom-designed or third-party industrial boards — bridging the gap between AOSP and the specific capabilities of each hardware platform.
About Embien: A leading technology service provider in the Embedded domain, Embien offers highly specialized services for imx 6 based android hmi development — including BSP porting, HAL development, Android for Industrial HMI customization, and optimization. Our other service offerings include embedded software services, hardware design services, industrial protocol development, and technical consultancy. We also offer corporate training on Android, Multimedia, GStreamer, and other technologies. Kindly contact us for your embedded/Android development and/or training requirements.