The IEC 61508 series of standards IEC 61508 is a globally recognized standard that provides a framework for achieving functional safety in the design and implementation of safety instrumented systems. The standard encompasses various aspects, including hardware, software, overall system development and the required underlying processes. Only in combination, these aspects can contribute to achieving the required systematic capability of a safety instrumented system. Photo by Simon Kadula on Unsplash Management of Functional Safety The functional safety development process needs to be embe ..read more

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful technology that can benefit society and pose significant risks to human rights, safety, and democracy. To address these challenges, the European Commission proposed a regulation on AI known as the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). The AI Act aims to create a legal framework for trustworthy AI that respects the EU values and principles.   The AI Act introduces a risk-based approach to regulating AI systems based on their potential impact on human rights and society. The AI Act identifies categories ranging from unacceptable to limited risk ..read more

Control system safety standards are crucial in ensuring the safe operation of various systems, particularly those relying on electronic, pneumatic or other control systems to prevent injury or death of humans. A prominent standard in the machinery domain, ISO 13849, has been supplemented with a sector-specific C type standard in 2018, which is titled ISO 19014 – Functional safety for earth moving machinery. While they both aim to enhance control system safety, they differ in their scope, application, and specific requirements. In this article, we will explore the key differences between ISO ..read more

Cybersecurity is a major topic in the automotive industry. However, for newcomers in the cybersecurity world, it is not easy to understand how to integrate it as smoothly as possible into the company’s operations. Thus, this blog post aims to clarify the landscape of cybersecurity standards and regulations that can be used as guidelines to implement and grow cybersecurity culture in companies involved within automotive sector. Applying standards is not a shield against all incidents. But they are establishing the baseline of security checks, processes and guidelines to be addressed for a go ..read more

Introduction Reliability is a critical aspect of ensuring the safety and functionality of complex systems in various industries, including automotive and industrial control. Two prominent standards that address hardware reliability in these domains are ISO 26262 and IEC 61508. While both standards aim to enhance safety and dependability, they differ in their approach to calculating hardware reliability. In this article, we will explore the key differences in hardware reliability calculation between ISO 26262 and IEC 61508. Industry and Application Focus ISO 26262 primarily targets the automoti ..read more

The EU AI Act is designed to promote the development of human-centric and trustworthy AI while safeguarding public interests such as health, safety, fundamental rights, and the environment. A critical aspect of the Act is the classification and regulation of “high-risk” AI systems. In this blog post, we will delve into the technical intricacies of high-risk AI systems, the mandatory safety and compliance requirements, and the potential penalties for non-compliance.   Created by Midjourney Definition of High-Risk AI Systems   High-risk AI systems are those that, either because of the ..read more

The first two episodes of this miniseries provide an overview of the new UN ECE R156 regulation, the related standard ISO 24089, and their management level requirements. In this third episode, the focus shifts to requirements impacting the vehicle, such as the required update version number identifier, RxSWIN, and the related Vehicle Type Approval scheme (VTA).   Miniseries history EP.1 Overview of UN R156 and ISO:24089 EP.2 Focus on Software Update Management Systems (SUMS) EP.3 Focus on vehicle requirements (RXsWIN & VTA) … Do not hesitate to contact us for new blog post ideas ..read more

Robustness in Artificial Intelligence systems, defined as the ability to maintain performance under various perturbations and adversarial inputs, is a critical aspect of Artificial Intelligence reliability and resilience. This article explores the concept of robustness and its implications within the context of the European Artificial Intelligence Act, and the connection between explainability and robustness. Furthermore, the article provides recommendations for fostering robust practices and highlights the role of CertX in promoting and certifying robust Artificial Intelligence systems. I ..read more

In the evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI), trustworthiness and safety emerge as key concerns. As AI systems increasingly permeate our lives, they must be reliable, fair, and safe for all users. Central to this trustworthiness is data quality, a factor with significant influence over AI performance, reliability, fairness, and safety. The Importance of Data Quality Data is the bedrock of AI systems. Quality data can fuel insightful predictions, accurate decisions, and meaningful interactions. Conversely, poor data quality can lead to inaccurate outcomes, biased decisions, and ..read more

The EU AI Act, a landmark AI regulation in the European Union, establishes a comprehensive legal framework for AI systems to ensure their safe development, market-entry, and use within the EU. The EU AI Act has been purposefully designed with broad and generic articles to ensure its applicability across various industries and use cases. This approach aims to create a foundation that can accommodate the rapid evolution and diversity of AI technologies and applications.               Key Requirements and Means of Compliance   The EU AI Act addresses seve ..read more