The AGL community is comprised of a diverse set of developers that are collaborating to enable the next generation of in-vehicle software systems. This blog series highlights AGL developers and how they are contributing to open source software solutions that will benefit the entire automotive industry.
Name: Martin Kelly
Title: Senior Software Engineer
Company: Xevo
Can you tell me a little bit about Xevo and your role within the company?
I am a Senior Software Engineer for Xevo, an automotive supplier developing artificial intelligence solutions for autonomous vehicles. We’re based in Seattle, WA. We joined Automotive Grade Linux in 2017, and I’m thrilled to be contributing to an open source project.
I have a long history with open source, dating back to middle school. Out of curiosity, I started playing around with Linux on my own machine and had to learn about the Linux kernel to get my wireless card to work. I became fascinated with Linux and enjoyed teaching myself how to use it. Engaging with other developers and asking them questions also gave me a strong sense of community.
I focus on embedded systems and the Linux kernel. I spend a lot of time reading and writing C kernel and driver code and using Yocto to get boards working. At Xevo in particular, I am working on making embedded hardware work as fast and reliably as possible for supporting Xevo’s machine learning platform.
Which AGL Expert Groups are you a part of? Have you contributed any code?
Xevo is not a part of any expert groups, but we have contributed a good deal of code to both AGL and Openembedded/Yocto.
Do you contribute to any other open source projects?
Yes, I have code in the Linux kernel, OpenEmbedded/Yocto, GStreamer, and I maintain a few packages for Debian. I also have bug fixes in a variety of other projects, as I try to “pay it forward” by fixing issues whenever I can.
What is the role of open source in the connected car ecosystem?
Open source plays a very important role in the connected car ecosystem by fostering collaboration. In many ways, it is a more efficient option that allows companies to innovate without having to recreate what is already there. I’d like to think of open source as the catalyst.
What advice would you give to someone new to the AGL community or tips on getting involved?
Get started! Over the last year, we’ve worked hard to improve the documentation page and provide more materials to read on the AGL Wiki. I’d also like to share that the AGL community is very friendly and our mailing list is a great resource if you get lost.
What is your workspace like and what are your hobbies outside of work?
If I had to describe my workspace in one word, it would be messy. Beyond the cables, you can find a few friends including a Linux penguin, a SUSE lizard and my four cats. I like to drink green tea while I work and listen to electronic music.
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time with my wife and cats. I also like to read and hike in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
