We develop hardware, firmware and edge AI for products with demanding requirements for security, availability and service life – from embedded AI, high-end image sensing and traffic safety to Yocto Linux and CRA-compliant platforms. Our services range from requirements definition through schematics and PCB layout, firmware and UI/UX design to prototype manufacturing. We also reduce manufacturing costs through the targeted use of cost-optimised sensors and microcontrollers (cost-down).
Our focus areas combine solid hardware expertise with embedded software, machine learning and cybersecurity – as a ready-to-deploy platform or as a reference design for your own product.
Embedded hardware
Microcontroller systems
We develop complete microcontroller systems – from selecting the right MCU through circuit design and firmware to an energy-efficient, cost-optimised series design.
Selection of the optimal MCU platform for your application
Low-power design for battery-powered and energy-autonomous devices
Low-level firmware and real-time applications
Integration and evaluation of analogue and digital sensors
Connectivity via fieldbus and communication buses
Redesign of legacy systems and cost-down through cost-optimised microcontrollers
Edge AI · TinyML
Embedded AI – inference right on the device
We bring neural networks to resource-constrained hardware – from Cortex-M MCUs and NPU SoCs to FPGAs. Local inference with deterministic latency, minimal power and no cloud.
TinyML with LiteRT for Microcontrollers, CMSIS-NN
Model compression, pruning and distillation
Deployment via ONNX Runtime and NPU toolchains
Embedded vision, sensor fusion and predictive maintenance
Embedded Vision
High-end camera sensor design
For machine vision and metrology we develop sensor boards and camera modules with Sony's high-end image sensors – from the low-noise analogue front end and thermal management to the high-speed data path.
Sony sensors with global shutter
Special sensors for SWIR, polarisation, UV and ToF
High-speed interfaces with impedance-controlled layout
FPGA-based sensor control and real-time image pre-processing
Traffic safety · ADAS
Radar & LiDAR systems
Sensing and control units for safer roads – from radar and LiDAR for driver assistance to the connected ECU, with a focus on functional safety, cybersecurity and EMC.
Radar and LiDAR: signal processing, object detection and sensor fusion
Automotive-grade hardware – robust and EMC-compliant
CAN FD, automotive Ethernet, AUTOSAR Classic and UDS diagnostics
Development in line with relevant automotive safety and security standards
Embedded Linux
Custom Linux OS with Yocto
Using the Yocto Project and OpenEmbedded we build a lean, reproducible Linux operating system tailored exactly to your hardware – instead of a generic distribution image. We build on Yocto Project LTS releases with multi-year support.
BSP development with a custom meta layer, device tree, U-Boot and tailored kernel configuration
BitBake recipes for your applications, drivers and dependencies
Reproducible builds, SDK/eSDK for your software team and integration into your CI pipeline
SBOM in SPDX format, CVE tracking and licence compliance – the foundation for the CRA
Cyber Resilience Act
CRA-ready platform
The EU Cyber Resilience Act requires security by design, vulnerability management and security updates throughout the life cycle – reporting obligations since September 2026, full application from December 2027. Our platform provides the technical basis for compliance.
Secure boot with root of trust (TPM/secure element)
Signed OTA updates with A/B partitioning and rollback
SBOM and continuous CVE monitoring
Hardened Yocto Linux and documentation for conformity assessment
// services
Development across the entire product life cycle
From individual components for a larger system to complete development from concept and prototype to series production: you define the scope.
Requirements definition & concept
Together with you, we turn your product idea into robust requirements and a sound system architecture – technically well-founded and optimised for manufacturing cost.
Circuit design
Analogue and digital circuit design in close coordination with you – with component selection that secures availability and long-term supply.
PCB layout
Multilayer layouts from compact low-power microcontroller boards to high-speed designs with DDR and PCIe, as well as impedance-controlled PCBs for broadband and RF applications.
Prototypes & small series
Manufacturing and assembly of prototypes and small series – for early validation of your design on real hardware.
Mechanics & enclosures
Precisely fitting enclosures and mechanical parts through CNC milling and additive manufacturing (FDM) – from functional samples to small series.
Firmware, FPGA & HMI
Low-level firmware, embedded Linux and FPGA design as well as intuitive user interfaces (UI/UX) – from the driver level to user interaction.
// thinking outside the box
How we work
Long-standing project experience combined with modern methods of product and component development.
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Hardware and software as one system
In hardware-software co-design we define architecture, interfaces and dependencies together from the very start. This system-level approach has proven itself since 2005 and is today the foundation for powerful edge AI and end-to-end cybersecurity.
We take on complete system development or individual work packages for your products and components.
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Agile and structured
Short iterations with early prototypes, embedded in clear milestones based on the V-model – fast results with full traceability from requirement to test.
✓
Continuous integration & testing
Version control, code reviews and automated builds and tests ensure quality from the very first development step. Errors are found early instead of fixed late.
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Security and manufacturing in focus
Security by design, design for manufacturing and design for testability are built in from the start – for robust, testable products ready for series production.
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Transparency and data ownership
Regular reporting, clear milestones and structured change management. Manufacturing data, source code and documentation can be transferred to your ownership.
// references
Reference projects
A selection of assemblies we have developed on behalf of our clients – from control electronics to a Zynq-based system-on-module.
// history
Company
embres GmbH is an engineering company for embedded systems, electronics and edge AI based in Cologne, Germany.
2005
Founding of the engineering office ERC Sülzer
2013
New office building in Cologne
2017
Founding of embres GmbH and expansion of the service portfolio
// contact
Your next product starts with an email.
Send us a short email and arrange a personal meeting. Talking face to face, we get to know each other and build the trust that every successful partnership needs. This is the path to your new product or component.
