Collaboration introduced Linux-display Apertis 2024.3, initially developed for automotive devices but now expanded to a wider range of electronic devices, embedded systems, and industrial equipment. Devices that utilize Apertis include the game console Atari VCS and the wall scanner Bosch D-tect 200.
The basic system images are available for x86_64, ARM64, and ARMHF architectures. The distribution is modular, allowing device manufacturers to customize the system environment independently. Assembly formations can be based on traditional Deb packets or monolithic atomic updated images using OSTREE.
The distribution is built on the DEBIAN GNU/Linux 12 package base and takes into account the risks associated with using certain free licenses like GPLV3, which prohibits Tivoization (binding software to specific hardware). The Apertis project ensures that the software is provided under open licenses or minimal restrictions to ensure compliance.
Apertis allows companies to have licensed cleanliness in their products, providing a SBOM-report (Software Bill of Materials) for each assembly. This report details the licenses of all used code files and program versions for transparency and vulnerability checks.
An important aspect of Apertis is its ability to exclude GPLV3-licensed code in assemblies, opting for modern alternatives under permissive licenses. For example, Apertis uses alternatives from the Uutils project