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AliOS-Things

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AliOS Things released by Alibaba is an open-source implementation of operating system (OS) for Internet of Things (IoT).

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source
Founded
2017
Company
Alibaba
Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About AliOS-Things

AliOS Things is an open-source, highly scalable IoT operating system developed by Alibaba. It supports multiple CPU architectures including ARM, C-Sky, MIPS, and RISC-V. The OS adopts a layered architecture and component-based design, featuring a real-time kernel (Rhino RTOS), hardware abstraction layer (HAL), networking stacks (LwIP, BLE, LoRaWAN), security modules (TLS, ID2, TEE), VFS driver framework, and a rich set of components like LinkSDK, OTA, ulog, uData, and uDisplay. It also supports lightweight scripting via JavaScript and MicroPython. AliOS Things integrates seamlessly with Alibaba Cloud IoT platform and provides numerous example applications and solutions for rapid IoT development.

Key Features

Supports ARM, C-Sky, MIPS, and RISC-V CPU architectures
Layered architecture with BSP, HAL, Kernel (Rhino RTOS), Network, Security, and VFS driver framework
Rich component ecosystem: LinkSDK, OTA (secure differential upgrade), ulog (logging), uData (sensor framework), uDisplay (graphics), WiFi provisioning
Support for JavaScript and MicroPython lightweight application frameworks
Seamless integration with Alibaba Cloud IoT platform
YAML-based build configuration for modular component selection
Official support for HaaS100, HaaS EDU K1, and HaaS200 hardware boards
Open source under Apache 2.0 license
Includes security features: TLS (mbedTLS and iTLS), ID2, SST (Trusted Storage), Crypto, TEE (Trusted Execution Environment)
Network stacks: LwIP (TCP/IP), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), LoRaWAN

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Open source under Apache 2.0 license with an active community
  • Highly modular architecture allows selective component inclusion
  • Supports a wide range of CPU architectures and hardware boards
  • Integrated with Alibaba Cloud IoT ecosystem for easy cloud connectivity
  • Includes comprehensive security features for IoT devices
  • Regular updates and release notes with contributions from the community
  • Provides both C/C++ and scripting language (JavaScript, MicroPython) development options
Cons
  • Primary documentation is in Chinese, which may limit accessibility for non-Chinese speakers
  • Strongly tied to the Alibaba ecosystem, which may not suit all use cases
  • Learning curve for beginners unfamiliar with RTOS and IoT development
  • Limited third-party hardware support beyond official HaaS boards

Best For

Building IoT devices and smart productsRapid prototyping with HaaS development boardsConnecting devices to Alibaba Cloud IoT platformDeveloping smart home solutions with voice control (e.g., Tmall Genie ecosystem)Implementing secure firmware updates via OTACreating sensor-based applications using uData frameworkDeveloping edge AI applications with TFLite-Micro inference engineBuilding smart agriculture systems (e.g., smart agriculture sample provided)

FAQ

What is AliOS Things?
AliOS Things is an open-source, highly scalable IoT operating system developed by Alibaba. It was first released in 2017 at the Hangzhou Cloud Computing Conference and is available on GitHub under the Apache 2.0 license.
What CPU architectures are supported?
AliOS Things supports ARM, C-Sky, MIPS, and RISC-V architectures.
Is AliOS Things free?
Yes, AliOS Things is open source and free to use under the Apache 2.0 license.
What development boards are officially supported?
The current version (3.3) officially supports HaaS100, HaaS EDU K1, and HaaS200 boards.
Can I use AliOS Things with Alibaba Cloud?
Yes, AliOS Things integrates with Alibaba Cloud IoT platform and includes components like LinkSDK for cloud connectivity.
Does AliOS Things support scripting languages?
Yes, it supports lightweight application development using JavaScript and MicroPython.