Rightware

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rightware
Company typePrivate
IndustryInformation Technology
Founded2009
Headquarters,
Finland
Key people
Freddie Geier (CEO)
Number of employees
100-150
Websiterightware.com

Rightware is a Finnish software development company that provides automotive graphics software tools and services. Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Rightware has offices in Detroit, Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Brighton, and Munich.

History[edit]

Rightware was founded in December 2009 after Futuremark spins off its Mobile & Embedded Benchmark unit.

In January 2011, Rightware released their UI design software called Kanzi, and demonstrated a stereoscopic 3D home screen for Android made by Kanzi at Mobile World Congress 2011.[1]

In 2013, it was announced that Audi was using Rightware's Kanzi software for developing digital user interfaces for Audi cars.[2][3] The first commercial vehicle (Audi A3) with Kanzi technology was shipped in June 2012.[4] At CES 2014, Audi revealed its fully digital Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster, created using Rightware Kanzi.

In 2013, Rightware raised another $5.2 million in venture capital funding.[5]

On May 7, 2015,[6] Rightware divested its graphics benchmarking business to Basemark, a newly formed Helsinki-based company, in a management buyout deal.

In 2015, Rightware announced that it was collaborating with Nissan.[7]

In 2016, Rightware announced the founding members[8] of its Kanzi Partner Program.

In 2016, Rightware stated that over 15 car manufacturers were using its Kanzi software for creating user interfaces.[9]

In 2017, Kanzi powers 35 automotive brands. Rightware becomes a subsidiary of ThunderSoft.

During 2021, Rightware announced the release of Kanzi One, an android compatible all in one HMI tool for automobile's cockpits.[10]

Products[edit]

Kanzi One[edit]

Kanzi One is a commercial package including the Kanzi framework and a variety of feature packs for further enhancing the HMI in relation to connectivity, mapping, visual effects, 3D vision, and preview capabilities.

Kanzi framework:

  • Kanzi Studio: the core HMI development tool, used by designers and embedded engineers to create and customize user interfaces that run on embedded hardware.
  • Kanzi Engine: real-time graphics engine, combining physically based rendering with an automotive-grade runtime.

Feature packs:

  • Kanzi Connect
  • Kanzi Maps
  • Kanzi Particles
  • Kanzi Shapes
  • Kanzi Stereoscopy
  • Kanzi VR

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kyle Thibaut (12 February 2011). "Exclusive: Images And Video Of Rightware's Stereoscopic 3D Android Interface | TechCrunch". Crunchgear.com. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  2. ^ Takahashi, Dean (30 January 2013). "Rightware finds a home for its Kanzi user interface in car computers and mobile devices". VentureBeat. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  3. ^ Nguyen, Hubert (29 January 2013). "Rightware's Kanzi Interface May Soon Power Your Car Dashboard". Übergizmo. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  4. ^ "User controls and display in the new Audi A3". Audi. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  5. ^ Lomas, Natasha (14 May 2013). "Finnish Startup Rightware Closes $5.2M Series B To Drive Global Growth Of Its Embedded UI Creation Tool Business". TechCrunch. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  6. ^ Rightware sold its benchmark businessChester, Brandon (8 May 2015). "Rightware's BenchMark Division Acquired By Benchmark". AnandTech. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Nissan uses Rightware user interface for Gripz concept car". Telematics News. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  8. ^ "Rightware Kanzi Partner Program Announces Founding Members at CES 2016 | Rightware". www.rightware.com. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Rightware: Finns help car industry to go digital | Tekes". www.tekes.fi. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Rightware Releases Kanzi One, the First All-in-One Automotive HMI Tool for the Advanced Intelligent Cockpit". www.businesswire.com. 4 January 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2023.