As open source software continues to move deeper into safety-critical systems, FOSDEM provides a unique space for the conversations that need to happen between developers, safety engineers, maintainers, and industry stakeholders. For the Enabling Linux in Safety Applications (ELISA) project, FOSDEM 2026 is an opportunity to engage directly with the open source community, share practical progress, and collaborate on the challenges of using Linux in systems where failure can have serious consequences.
ELISA’s mission is to make it easier for organizations to build and certify Linux-based safety-critical applications systems whose failure could result in loss of human life, significant property damage, or environmental harm. By bringing these discussions to FOSDEM, ELISA helps connect real-world safety and certification needs with the developers and projects building the software at the core of these systems.
What ELISA Is Working On
ELISA brings together companies, developers, and safety experts to define and maintain a shared set of tools, processes, and best practices that help organizations demonstrate that Linux-based systems can meet functional safety requirements. Rather than positioning Linux as a standalone “safety solution,” ELISA focuses on how Linux can be used as a component within safety-critical systems, supported by appropriate system-level mitigations, documentation, and evidence.
A key part of this work is collaboration with certification authorities and standardization bodies across multiple industries. By engaging early and openly, ELISA helps clarify expectations around certification pathways, safety arguments, and compliance, reducing uncertainty for both developers and assessors. This approach enables reuse, transparency, and consistency across domains such as automotive, aerospace, railways, industrial automation, and medical systems.
ELISA at FOSDEM 2026
FOSDEM 2026 offers an ideal environment to continue these conversations. As a free, community-driven event that brings together thousands of open source developers from around the world, it allows ELISA to connect directly with the people building and maintaining the software used in safety-critical products.
Throughout the weekend, ELISA Project Ambassadors will be actively participating across the event giving talks, joining technical discussions, and engaging with contributors in multiple developer rooms. Attendees can also meet the ELISA team at the Linux Foundation Europe stand (Building K, Level 2, Group A), where they will be available to discuss ongoing work, community activities, and ways to get involved in the project.
Several members of the ELISA Technical Steering Committee (TSC) will be present as well, providing an opportunity for in-depth conversations around safety concepts, certification challenges, and cross-industry collaboration.
Session Highlight:
Code, Compliance, and Confusion: Open Source in Safety-Critical Products
This talk examines the growing use of open source software in functionally safe systems, including platforms such as Linux, Zephyr, Xen, and automotive middleware. It looks at both the progress made in recent years and the persistent barriers to adoption, from certification uncertainty and fragmented governance to common misunderstandings around safety responsibility and system architecture. Learn more.
BOF/Unconference
In addition to talks, ELISA-related topics will be discussed in Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions, which offer a more informal space for discussion and idea exchange.
One BoF will focus on Linux & Open Source Software for safety applications in Railways, exploring how large-scale reuse and collaborative development can support the sector’s growing software needs while meeting strict safety requirements. The discussion will also consider whether there is sufficient momentum to form a foundation-backed initiative to support OSS adoption in railways.
Another BoF, Safety-Critical Linux: Challenges across industries, will bring together participants from automotive, aerospace, medical devices, robotics, and rail. The session will explore shared challenges such as documentation, tooling, certification, and system design, and identify opportunities where cross-industry collaboration could reduce duplication and improve outcomes.
Join the Conversation at FOSDEM
FOSDEM 2026 is an opportunity to move beyond theory and engage in practical, technical discussions about open source in safety-critical systems. Whether you are building software, assessing safety cases, or defining certification strategies, ELISA invites you to take part in the conversations, meet the community, and help shape how Linux and open source software are used in systems that demand the highest levels of trust and reliability.
We look forward to connecting with you in Brussels.