In recent years, Xiaomi has proven to be much more than just a mobile brand. Its foray into the world of the Internet of Things (IoT) has been remarkable, connecting devices of all kinds in an increasingly vast ecosystem. In this context, a frequently asked question arises: What is Xiaomi Vela and what is it for? If you're interested in technology, have smart products at home, or simply want to understand how Xiaomi is investing heavily in connectivity, here's a comprehensive guide with clear explanations and all the relevant information.
With the arrival of new platforms and operating systems, such as HyperOS, the role of Xiaomi Sailing has gained even more prominence. So if you've heard about it and aren't sure what it's for, how it works, or what benefits it brings to the Xiaomi universe, I invite you to find out all about it in this article.
What is Xiaomi Vela?
To begin with, Xiaomi Vela is a software platform developed by Xiaomi specifically for the Internet of Things environment. (IoT). Its main objective is to serve as a technological foundation for various smart devices, such as watches, speakers, home appliances, sensors, and cameras, to communicate, interact, and manage each other efficiently within the broader Xiaomi ecosystem.
The platform was born during the pandemic, when the company wanted to go a step further in the integration of its smart products. Its development was based on NuttX, a widely used open-source real-time operating system for embedded systems. By opting for NuttX, Xiaomi has created a versatile, lightweight framework compatible with a wide variety of chips and devices.
Why did Xiaomi create Vela?
Xiaomi has always sought Simplify and unify the user experience in your smart ecosystemBefore Vela, controlling different devices often meant dealing with multiple systems, protocols, and apps, which could be chaotic and impractical. With the arrival of Xiaomi Vela, the brand aimed to make the tools easier not only for users, but especially for developers, by offering a homogeneous and consistent for the management and development of IoT solutions.
One of the strong points of Xiaomi Vela is that it allows a real unification of control and communication between devices at various levelsThis means that both end users and companies developing compatible products can enjoy unprecedented interoperability, optimizing costs and improving overall system stability.
Main features of Xiaomi Vela
- Open source and flexibilityAlthough it began as a proprietary solution, Xiaomi has decided to release Vela's code under the Apache 2.0 license. This means any developer can contribute, modify, or extend the platform, facilitating global innovation and collaboration.
- Based on NuttX OS: Using NuttX as a foundation ensures lightweight, resource-efficient, and compatibility with even the most basic IoT hardware thanks to its low memory and processor requirements.
- Support for multiple chips and hardwareVela already works on numerous processors and embedded systems, making it easy to add new smart devices to the Xiaomi ecosystem without major technical complications.
- Ease of developmentBy offering a common framework, developers can create apps and services for all types of Xiaomi smart devices without having to learn different technologies for each one.
- High customization and code reuseOne of the biggest draws for the tech community is the ability to reuse open source components and libraries from Linux systems, thanks to POSIX interface compatibility, making it easier to migrate open solutions to the Xiaomi platform.
- Cost reduction and hardware optimization: Xiaomi Vela uses fewer system resources than conventional Linux, making it ideal for low-end IoT devices and allowing manufacturers to save on components without sacrificing functionality.
What exactly is Xiaomi Vela used for?
In simple terms, Xiaomi Vela acts as the technological foundation on which dozens of smart devices within the Xiaomi ecosystem operate and communicate.. Its design allows for components as diverse as smartwatches, speakers, home appliances, sensors and cameras, share a common infrastructure, speak the same language, and are optimized for both cost and performance.
Furthermore, being open source, fosters collaboration between companies, independent developers and industrial sectors who wish to integrate their products into the Xiaomi universe. This not only accelerates the development of new compatible devices, but also enriches the ecosystem and improves the end-user experience.
Advantages and benefits of Xiaomi Vela
- Open collaborationBy open-sourcing the code, Xiaomi invites all technology stakeholders to participate and contribute, increasing the system's potential for innovation and evolution.
- Real interconnectivity: Vela is the pillar that supports intelligent interconnection between products as varied as televisions, wearables, small appliances, and even automobiles, naturally integrating all the elements of the connected home.
- Reduction of technical barriersBy offering a familiar environment based on standard technology and open documentation, manufacturers can easily adapt their products, reducing development time and costs.
- Lightness and optimization: The minimum technical requirements make Vela suitable for devices with just a few kilobytes of RAM, opening the door for almost any everyday item to become smart and become part of the Xiaomi ecosystem.
- Centralized updates: By having a common platform, updates and improvements can quickly reach all types of devices without the fragmentation common in IoT.
Xiaomi Vela's relationship with HyperOS
One of the most interesting new features of the Xiaomi ecosystem is HyperOS, an advanced customization layer that the company launched as a successor to MIUI. What's relevant here is that HyperOS is partly based on the Xiaomi Vela platformThis new operating system seeks to eliminate the barriers between mobile phones, tablets, watches, televisions, and even automobiles, allowing all connected devices to work harmoniously.
In the HyperOS architecture, we find that At the lowest layer are both the Linux kernel and Xiaomi VelaAt the top are the Android libraries, and further up are the connection systems and applications. This structure allows Vela's functions, especially the efficient management of IoT devices, to be present across the entire product range, not only in mobile phones, but also in tablets, laptops, connected cars, and, of course, home automation products.
What devices is Xiaomi Vela currently used on?
Since its launch, Xiaomi Vela has been expanding progressively. At first, its use was focused on smartwatches, activity bracelets and smart speakersHowever, with the open source code and the platform's success, its presence has expanded to include more and more smart home appliances, ISP cameras, and sensors. Xiaomi has stated that it expects all new smart devices, both from its own brand and from third parties that leverage its ecosystem, to be able to integrate with Vela.
Some examples of devices that run on this platform include Xiaomi smartwatches, speakers like the Smart Speaker, door and window sensors, security cameras, and small connected home appliances. The idea is that any product, from the most advanced to the most affordable, has access to the same technological foundation and complete interconnection.
Technical Operation: How Does Xiaomi Vela Work?
Xiaomi Vela offers a range of software services that run on the NuttX operating system. This combination provides stability, speed and compatibility with all types of electronic components. Developers can use device drivers, manage communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, among others), manage files, and manage power more efficiently.
The Vela framework, for its part, allows for managing graphical interfaces, OTA (Over the Air) updates, scripting languages, and much more. This makes it easier for applications and devices to function properly, be updated, and maintain long-term support.
One of the virtues is that Linux libraries and tools can be easily ported directly to Xiaomi Vela, saving time and leveraging the existing open source software ecosystem to enhance the Xiaomi platform.
Differences with other standards and their relationship with the rest of the sector
The arrival of Xiaomi Vela has been compared to other standardization projects in the IoT world, such as CHIP (Connected Home over IP), promoted by leading technology companies to foster universal interoperability. Although both projects pursue similar goals, Xiaomi's great advantage is having created its own environment, but at the same time openThis allows Xiaomi and other manufacturers' products to interoperate and evolve together, without being restricted by closed proprietary systems.
One of Xiaomi's clearest bets with Vela is to allow third-party manufacturers and developers can easily create compatible products and servicesAs an open source solution, third-party participation is guaranteed, encouraging the emergence of new devices, applications, and services that enrich the brand's ecosystem.
In fact, Xiaomi's ambition is for its entire smart platform, including cars, TVs, laptops, and any connected device, to use Vela as the foundation for future operation. This positions the company as a global leader in IoT interoperability and opens the door to global collaboration, even with competing companies.
Security and optimization in Xiaomi Vela
One of the challenges in the Internet of Things is to ensure the device security and privacy. Xiaomi Vela, together with HyperOS, bet on a isolated security subsystem, using dedicated hardware and end-to-end encryption to protect sensitive data, such as biometrics, passwords, and sensitive data during transmission between devices.
When it comes to updating and maintaining devices, the system makes it easy rapid and secure deployments, ensuring that even the most affordable products benefit from the latest improvements in cybersecurity and stability.
How does Xiaomi Vela affect users?
For users, the arrival and consolidation of Xiaomi Vela means a much simpler and more satisfying experience when managing smart devicesControl from the Xiaomi app becomes more intuitive and powerful, integration between different products is more fluid, and, in general, technical and compatibility barriers that complicated life for home automation and connected technology users have been eliminated.
In addition, by opening up to third-party manufacturers, consumers have access to a growing product catalog that can be seamlessly integrated into your home, car, or office, without fear of incompatibility issues. Xiaomi's long-term vision is for Vela to become the standard for the connected home, allowing you to manage everything from lights and sensors to appliances, cameras, and vehicles, all from a single platform.