Challenges and opportunities when introducing cloud computing into embedded systems

The use of cloud computing in different application areas is growing fast. More and more functions are being moved into the cloud in order to take advantage of cloud computing strengths such as scalability, resources on demand, and usage based cost models. However, most types of embedded systems are still in an early phase of cloud adoption, with a few exceptions found in e.g., data storage and user interfaces. In this paper we present a number of challenges and opportunities when introducing cloud computing into embedded systems. In particular, we look at embedded systems with requirements on timing predictability, i.e., real-time systems. In the paper we conclude that it is possible to move a complete soft real-time system into the cloud. Moreover we see an upcoming development in cloud computing to potentially allow for hard real-time systems to be moved to the cloud.