Embedded System Design: Milestones, Momentum, and the Frontier

Embedded systems --- invisible, smart computing systems integrated into the fabric of everyday life --- is one of the most significant success stories made possible with the advancement in electronic design automation (EDA). In this article, we trace the journey from the pioneering milestones that established embedded systems as a discipline through the innovation momentum that demonstrated their ubiquitous potential, to the emerging frontier of embodied intelligence. Throughout this journey, we observe that the foundational principles of embedded systems design from resource efficiency to real-time reliability and mission-critical dependability remain constant.