FirmwareSoftware

Firmware project costs depend on the target platform, who designed the hardware, connectivity scope, security requirements (secure boot, OTA, encryption), and whether companion apps or cloud integration are in scope. Very simple firmware projects, like a single MCU with a known platform and contained feature set, can land in the four-figure range. Many firmware projects require a five-figure investment. More demanding work can extend into six figures. That covers secure boot and OTA infrastructure, cloud integration, and certification for safety-critical applications. Tell us what your firmware needs to do and we'll scope it from there. Get in touch.

Timelines depend on scope, connectivity, target platform, and certification needs. Focused bare-metal applications can complete in a few weeks. Larger connected products with wireless stacks, secure bootloaders, OTA updates, and companion apps run several months. Get in touch and we'll talk through your timeline after a short discovery conversation.

We write embedded code primarily in C and C++. Python and React are used for tooling and companion apps. On the MCU side we ship on STM32 (ARM Cortex-M0 through M7), ESP32, Nordic nRF52 and nRF53, NXP, Microchip PIC and SAM, and Renesas. We work bare-metal and on FreeRTOS, Zephyr, and ThreadX for real-time systems. For embedded Linux we use Yocto and Buildroot on i.MX, Raspberry Pi CM4, and custom SoMs.

Yes. At handover you receive commented source code, build scripts, toolchain configuration, schematics of test fixtures, and documentation. The exact deliverables list is agreed up front. New IP created during the engagement transfers to you on payment under our standard terms. Each party keeps their pre-existing IP. Licensing arrangements can be put in place when needed.

Firmware is the low-level code that runs directly on a microcontroller or embedded chip inside a product. It's usually written in C or C++, lives in non-volatile flash memory, and runs from the moment the device powers on. Firmware controls hardware directly: reading sensors, driving motors, managing power, and handling wireless radios. Software, in the context of a product, is higher-level application code that runs on top of a standard operating system (e.g. Windows, Linux). That's desktop configuration tools, mobile companion apps, cloud dashboards, and web services. A connected product needs both. Firmware on the embedded device, plus software on a phone, desktop, or cloud backend server, so users can configure, monitor, and interact with it.