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When it comes to designing technology that can withstand the toughest conditions on and off the road, few understand the real-world challenges our customers face. I had the pleasure of interviewing Guy Lariviere, Kontron’s Systems Designer behind the rugged S1901 platform. Whether it’s military-grade defense vehicles or heavy-duty commercial trucks, Guy plays a key role in making sure every system is built not only for performance, but for long-term resilience.
In this blog post, Guy shares his insights into what it takes to power modern off-highway and commercial vehicles—from integrating electronics directly into vehicle platforms to ensuring reliability in extreme environments. With the S1901 at the center, he explains how rugged edge computing is enabling smarter, more connected systems across everything from urban buses to future-ready unmanned platforms.
Tania: From your perspective, why is there such a strong focus today on electronics in commercial and off-highway vehicles?
Guy: The transportation and mobility landscape is evolving fast. It's not just about power anymore—it’s about how smart and adaptable these systems are. Whether you’re designing an electric bus, a heavy-duty truck, or a piece of off-highway equipment, the electronics inside need to be innovative, versatile to a wide variety of applications, and ready to perform in demanding environments.
Tania: And, what’s driving that change?
Guy: We’re seeing a growing demand for reliability and long-life cycles, especially in industries where downtime is not an option. The vehicles we design systems for, operate in extreme conditions—vibrations, temperature fluctuations, limited space—and the electronics have to keep up. Customers are expecting AI ready systems that can communicate seamlessly and withstand rugged, real-world use cases. This is our goal here at Kontron.
Customers need performance, resilience, integration and future-proofing
Today’s customers require more than raw performance—they’re looking for systems that combine durability, intelligent integration, and long-term scalability. As electrification accelerates across vehicle platforms, the need for smart, connected systems becomes even more critical. More solutions are being built with rugged edge platforms that not only process data but also connect electric drivetrains, control units, and vehicle components—ensuring everything communicates seamlessly, whether on a city route, a rough job site, or a secluded military site.
Tania: Tell me more about electrification and how this trend is reshaping vehicle system design.
Guy: Electrification is transforming everything—from powertrains to onboard electronics. Companies are no longer just adding components to vehicles; they're reimagining how systems work together from the ground up. That includes smart electronic control units (ECUs), embedded modules, and networked architectures that all need to communicate seamlessly within the platform.
Tania: How important is customer collaboration during the integration phase?
Guy: It is absolutely critical. The integration stage has become a strategic part of vehicle development, where engineering teams work closely with OEMs to embed electronics directly into the vehicle platform. By engaging early, engineers gain valuable insight into how the vehicle will be used in the real world—whether it’s a Class 4 delivery truck or a Class 8 long-haul tractor. Each class comes with its own requirements for packaging, power distribution, control systems, and network communication. That insight enables me to better adapt electronic solutions to meet evolving customer needs, to ensure electronic architecture is tailored for optimal performance and reliability long-term.
Tania: What kind of conditions do commercial vehicles typically face in the field?
Guy: These vehicles operate in some truly punishing environments. We’re talking about extreme cold—down to -40°C in some use cases—and high-vibration in off-road conditions. Whether it's in mining, agriculture, or long-haul trucking, the electronics inside have to be tough enough to survive and perform without fail.
How rugged edge platforms can help
This is where platforms like our S1901 make all the difference. Built to meet defense-grade standards, the S1901 is also just as effective in commercial off-highway and heavy-duty vehicles. It’s designed to absorb shock, handle rapid temperature shifts, and fit into tight or unconventional spaces.
Tania: What role does the platform play inside the vehicle?
Guy: It’s essentially the central nervous system. The S1901, with its high-performance CPU and GPU capability combined with its powerful onboard network switch, connects and controls multiple subsystems within the vehicle, making sure everything communicates smoothly and reliably. Whether it's managing data, running control logic, or handling connectivity, it keeps operations running in even the harshest conditions.
Tania: What’s next for rugged computing in transportation?
Buses to drones, a wide range of possibilities
Guy: Well we’ve seen successful integration in electric urban buses, where smart dashboards and real-time driver feedback systems are now standard. And, it doesn’t stop there—more recently there’s been demand to extend these rugged computing solutions to unmanned systems like drones, where GPS , 5G NTN,and satellite connectivity are used for precise localization.
Tania: What’s driving this shift toward smarter, more connected vehicle systems?
Guy: It’s all about speed, data, and interoperability. With support for even 10-Gigabit Ethernet, today’s systems are more interconnected than ever. While legacy protocols like CANbus are still useful—especially for engine and transmission control—Ethernet is quickly becoming the backbone for everything else, including advanced data processing and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications.
Smarter integration to come
The future of transportation depends on platforms that are both rugged enough for harsh environments and intelligent enough to adapt to evolving missions—whether that’s an urban bus, an off-road truck, or an autonomous drone. It’s about building solutions that fit the task, the conditions, and the future—all at once.
If you'd like to speak to us directly about any current challenges, or your next project, we're happy to help. Contact us at [email protected].
About Guy
Guy Lariviere is a highly experienced engineer with over 30 years experience in hardware, software development and system integration. He recently joined Kontron based in Montreal and works on defense and transportation applications. He has a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Communications and electronics. He brings strong experience in hardware development across multiple products in telecommunications and transportation and currently focuses on integrating diverse solutions within vehicles. His deep understanding of system integration enables him to better address customer demands for ruggedized, reliable products.
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