Eclipse SDV Hephaestus ensures low efforts for contributors to participate in a Eclipse SDV project, the implementation is based on open source tools. The starting point for this project is the Eclipse S-CORE toolchain, which will be reviewed to determine how it can be made ready for use by other projects within Eclipse SDV Working Group. To ensure an qualification process compliant to ASPICE and ISO 26262, a solution will be developed to release a qualified product. This includes checking existing available approaches, such as those from RedHat.
Core Principles
- DRY (Don't Repeat Yourself): Centralize non-differentiating toolchain components so each project can focus on its domain-specific innovation
- Open Source by Default: Use open-source tools. Closed-source extensions may be integrated via well-defined plugin interfaces, but are never required
- Composable and Overlay Architecture: Projects can adopt the full toolchain or only the parts they need. Partial adoption is a first-class use case
The project will be hosted in one GitHub organization with multiple repositories. It will feature a modular architecture, ensuring that partial usage of the toolchain is possible. It will provide a central starting point for developers and support multiple languages, first including C++ and Rust.
Requirements will be defined through feature requests and issues, then reviewed with Eclipse SDV Working Group projects (e.g. presentation to the TAC).
Technical Details
The project is structured into four architectural layers, with AI integration running as cross-cuttingly across them.
Layer 1 - Build & Dependency Management:
Defines how the software is built and how dependencies are resolved. Built on Bazel as a starting point.
Layer 2 - Environment Management & Tool Provisioning:
Ensures all required tools and compilers are available in the correct version and configuration. Standardizes Environment Setup with tools like OCI-Container and other tools e.j. Nix, Moon/Proto (to be evaluated).
Layer 3 - Task Runner & Automation:
Provides a uniform command line interface for common workflows e.g. (build, test, lint, format, flash, run, package, simulate). Shields developers from underlying tool complexity. Aligns CI/CD pipelines, build agents, and remote execution with the same conventions used locally.
Layer 4 - Development Environment & Enablement:
Delivers a ready-to-use, pre-configured development environment with no manual setup.
Cross-cutting AI Integration:
Provides intelligent support across all layers: analyzes build/test/tooling outputs, suggests fixes and improvements, assists with configuration and workflow execution. Initial use case: automated dependency tree reasoning explaining why direct and transitive dependencies are included, useful for FOSS analysis.
Pros and Cons of the Proposed Solution
Pros:
- Eliminates redundant toolchain development across SDV projects, freeing resources for domain innovation
- The harmonized Bazel-based build system simplifies multi-project integration significantly
- Modular design allows partial adoption, no all-or-nothing migration required
- Qualification readiness (ASPICE, ISO 26262) reduces compliance effort per project
- Automated SBOM generation and FOSS/SCA scanning reduces security and license review overhead
Cons:
- Governance complexity: cross-project decisions require broader consensus, which may slow iteration
- Migration effort: existing projects face upfront investment to adapt to the unified toolchain
- Dependency risk: adopters become coupled to the project release cadence and maintenance health