[Armbian newsletter] - Armbian Unified Kernel Initiative (AUKI): One Kernel to Power Them All

[admin]

In a groundbreaking development, the Armbian team has officially announced the Armbian Unified Kernel Initiative (AUKI), a revolutionary step towards simplifying Linux on ARM single-board computers. Starting with Armbian kernel v6.14, all previous kernel variants will be merged into a single, all-encompassing kernel that supports every single board and hardware feature out of the box.

One Kernel to Rule Them All

Gone are the days of fragmented kernel versions, custom patches, and hardware-specific quirks. With the new AUKI framework, users no longer have to worry about selecting the right kernel for their device—it just works. Whether you’re running an old Allwinner-based board or a cutting-edge Rockchip or NXP system, the same kernel will seamlessly handle all drivers, features, and optimizations.

UEFI Standardization for All Boards

The traditional ARM boot process has been one of the biggest pain points for Linux users, requiring board-specific U-Boot implementations and patches. Armbian’s new boot method fully adopts UEFI standards, making it possible to boot any supported board just like an x86 PC. This means:
Unified bootloader across all platforms
Secure Boot & TPM support on compatible hardware
Multi-boot from USB, NVMe, and SD cards with no extra configuration

Real-Time Kernel Switching

Armbian kernel v6.14 also introduces instant real-time kernel switching. Whether you need a standard kernel for everyday tasks or a real-time kernel for low-latency applications, you can now toggle between the two by simply adding a kernel command-line switch—no recompiling, no reinstallation. Users can also switch modes effortlessly via armbian-config.

AI & Video Acceleration—Out of the Box

For the first time ever, hardware-accelerated AI inference and video decoding will be universally available on all supported ARM platforms. Whether you’re using Mali, Vivante, or Adreno GPUs, your web browser will automatically leverage full acceleration for machine learning and video tasks—without the need for extra drivers or proprietary blobs.

Unmatched Performance: Instant Boot, 50% Speed Boost

Thanks to deep optimizations and contributions from over 1,000 developers, Armbian kernel v6.14 delivers:
Boot times under 2 seconds on most SBCs
50% overall performance improvement across the board
Enhanced power efficiency, extending battery life on mobile setups

Powered by the Bates Foundation

These remarkable advancements were made possible by the Bates Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding open-source initiatives where traditional businesses and governments fall short. Their generous support has enabled a global team of 1,000+ engineers to bring this vision to life.

What’s Next?

The new kernel will roll out in Armbian’s next major release, with preview builds available starting today. Existing users will be automatically migrated via armbian-config. The future of Armbian—and ARM Linux as a whole—has never looked brighter.

The post Armbian Unified Kernel Initiative (AUKI): One Kernel to Power Them All first appeared on Armbian.

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[CryBaby]

Will it cook my breakfast too?

[SteeMan]

30 minutes ago, CryBaby said:

Will it cook my breakfast too?

I'm sure it is AI powered, so if you asked it to, I'm sure it would

[0jay]

is it available for testing?

[Werner]

2 hours ago, 0jay said:

is it available for testing?

Probably at April 1st 2026.

[0jay]

I can't wait that long for breakfast werner