50 Big Companies and Amazing Devices Running on GNU/Linux

You’ve been told that you can do just about anything with Linux, but how far does that statement really go? Linux might be far from popular on desktop computers, but it shines everywhere else. You’ve probably used Linux today, even if you didn’t realize it.

Without even mentioning Android devices, let’s take a look at 50 interesting devices or Big Companies that run Linux so you can get an idea of how much Linux actually affects your life.

Why Is Linux Everywhere?

Whether you know it or not, Linux can be found everywhere. There are several reasons why this is the case:

• It is extremely flexible due to its open source nature, so anyone can go through Linux’s code and modify it however they need.
• It is very portable, meaning that it can be easily used on virtually all CPU architectures.
• It is very fast, which means that it can be used on cheaper hardware.
• It is free, which is a good incentive for almost anyone.

50 Big Companies and Devices Running on GNU/Linux

1. Google
Google, an American based multinational company, the services of which includes search, cloud computing and online advertising technologies runs on Linux.

Google run on Linux

2. Twitter
Twitter, famous online social networking and micro-blogging site that is Powered by nix.

Twitter run on Linux

3. Facebook
Facebook, one of the most famous and most widely used Social Networking service runs on the same platform.

Facebook runs on Linux

4. Amazon
An American based international company which deals with International Online Retailing is in the list of Linux powered Company.

Amazon runs on Linux

5. IBM
IBM (International Business Machine Corporation) the American based company which for sure don’t requires any introduction, is again powered by nix.

IBM runs on Linux

6. McDonalds
The world’s largest chain of hamburger fast foot restaurant uses GNU/Linux (Ubuntu) too.

Mcdonalds runs on Linux

7. Submarines
The submarines in the United State Navy are controlled by same platform.

Submarines on Linux

8. NASA
National Aeronautical and Space Administration, The United nation’s Space program widely uses Linux in many of their programmes.

NASA runs on Linux

9. Watches
Most of you would not be knowing that there are Linux Powered Watches in the market, already. The watch developed by IBM running Linux.

IBM Watches runs on Linux

10. Mobile Devices
True, you all know that Linux is powering Mobile Phones, Tablets and Kindle. If the news is true, Nokia is all set to come with its First Android based Mobile (Though the decision of Nokia is too late and Nokia has paid for this and still paying).

Ubuntu Runs on Linux

11. Space
A Specific Linux Distro (Debian) is already in the space. Debian led all the rest.

NASA runs on Linux

12. Raspberry pi
The business card sized computer designed for electronic projects as well as desktop computing which is very cheap in cost and is fully functional. Raspberry is a landmark in Linux Development.

Rasperry pi runs on Linux

13. Desktop Computing
Though a little late, Linux made a notable presence in the desktop computing market. In school and academics as well as in government offices Linux are being widely used, these days.

14. Corporates
The corporate offices are using Linux and finds it more productive than any other alternatives.

15. New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange (NYSC) which provides means for buyers and sellers in order to trade shares of stock in companies registered for public trading relies solely on Linux.

New York Stock Exchange

16. Traffic Controlling
Last year San Francisco deployed a completely new Linux-based traffic controller computer that meets the latest Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC) standards. The system is built around an advance Freescale PowerQUICC II Pro processor, the “2070LXN2 NEMA” offers several keypads, an 8×40 display, plus Ethernet, USB, serial, and SDLC connections. Linux is used in the system as it enables an open architecture system, as well as a more robust, flexible, and expandable platform that is compatible with multi-vendor application control software.

17. Nuclear Projects
When it comes to Nuclear Ambitious projects, Linux is the best option. One of such OS is QNX, which lately is acquired by Blackberry Ltd.

Nuclear Projects

18. Bullet Trains
The Bullet Trains in Japan runs at the speed of 240-320 km/h. All train tracking, maintenance, scheduling and controlling is Linux based.

Bullet Trains

19. Tianhe-2
The fastest Supercomputer of the world, China’s Tianhe-2, which is capable of performing 33.86 petaflops operations per second is running Kylinos, a Linux based Operating System.

Tianhe-2

20. Internet Hosting
More than 70% of Internet Hosting and service providers are Linux based. Thought this statistic is difficult to figure out but based upon the Linux compatible hardware sold, and demand for cross platform compatible hardware, the above statistics is a rough estimation.

Internet Hosting

21. Missiles and Weapons
The Missiles and destructive weapons of next generation is themed to be much advanced and Intelligent system than its predecessors. Well what else would have been its alternati

Missiles and Weapons

22. Hackers
Hackers be it ethical or non-ethical prefers Linux over any other Platform. The availability of a variety of tools, the architecture, the security, the technique to handle things intelligently and control everything to the point required makes it perfect choice for Hackers.

Hackers use Linux

23. Other Industries
The Wikipedia, PIZZA Hut, Aviation industry, Parliaments of countries like France are using Linux. When it comes to work in distributed system, multi-user supported system, the only thing that comes to mind is the Nix.

The OLX and Just dial have their user base just because of Linux. The service providers relied on Linux for developing Application that has a huge database and act as local google and Amazon.

24. Postal Services
The US Postal Services and banking sector of most of the countries are using Linux. Well USA uses Linux not only as mission critical application, but have tried building their system around. The use of nix in US Postal Service is a brilliant Example.

25. Education
Schools, colleges and Universities in Russia, Germany, Philippines, Georgia, Switzerland, Italy, India specially Tamil Nadu are using Linux even for basic computer education.

The availability of specific Linux distro for every task makes Linux the most sought after platform. Edubuntu is a distro specially developed for computer LABS from educational point of view. (At my time RedHat was used for educational purpose, when I was pursuing my major in Computer Application.)

26. Movies
For those who think Linux is not for Graphical editing we need to mention that Oscar winning Titanic and Avatar were Edited and Graphics were created using Linux only. Moreover the video cameras these days are Linux centred.

Avatar Movie

28. Networking
Cisco, the networking and routing gaint are completely Linux Based. Real-Time Communication and Integration Solutions providing company finds Linux best suited to their Application Development and Delivery.

Cisco runs on Linux

29. Cars
Recently, cars developed around Linux was exhibited. Making cars more intelligent which can work in odd situations, nix is the best choice.

Cars run on linux

30. Future of ROBOTICS
Again an intelligent critical application, which should work in odd situations and act accordingly, specially when robotics is supposed to be tied with army and security and there remains no place for any flaws, Linux and Only Linux………

Future of ROBOTICS

31. Large Hadron Collider

Large Hadron Collider is by far the most powerful physics project in the history of the known universe starting functioning in 2008. The large Hadron Collider took over 20 years to build and the hard work of half of all the world’s astrophysicists. The $10 Billion Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is powered by Linux.

Cern Machine Run Linux

32. Air Traffic control system

Back in 2006 Federal Aviation Administration (United States) migrating computers that manage air traffic flow to Linux. The software runs an Enhanced Traffic Management System, which predicts traffic surges, gaps and volume across the US airspace.

33.130 mph Linux Motorcycle

Mavizen’s top of the range model the TTX02 was the first electro racing bike with board-computer, USB, and IP address, enabling monitoring and tuning via integrated WLAN. The 130 mph racing machine ran on Linux system.

130 mph Linux Motorcycle

34.Wireless routers

A number of wireless routers from well-known companies like Buffalo, Linksys, Asus, Netgear, etc. run on Linux.

35. CCTV

ZoneMinder and a number of other closed circuit security systems use Linux.

36. Fridges & other Smart Home appliances:

Electrolux Frigidaire Infinity i-kitchen is a “smart appliance” refrigerator that is powered by Linux. The fridge runs on an embedded 400 MHz Freescale i.MX25 processor with 128 MB of RAM and a 480×800 touch panel. The fridge is not only responsible to preserve your food but will also give you information such as current time and temperature. Te fridge is aided with a number of versatile apps like: notes, calendar, contacts, photos, tips and recipes. According to the manufacturer: From annotating a phone number to controlling its internal temperature, all the functionalities are just a finger touch away from you. The Notes application avoids spreading the famous Post-it notes throughout the refrigerator all the while taking its functionality to a new level, marking messages as unread, reminding you of birthdays and appointments. Through Photos it’s possible to use your refrigerator as a digital photo frame and Recipes brings more than 600 recipes published by a famous Brazilian magazine!

Linux Fridge

37. Sony Play station

Who doesn’t know about Sony’s Play Station? ) PS3’s was specially designed so as to allow easy installation of Linux on the system. PlayStation hardware powered by Linux has been occasionally used in small scale distributed computing experiments. This was thought to be a fatal combination of software that was easy to install and PS3 made the best high-performance cheap device. Sony also released a Linux kit for its PlayStation 2 console [ Note that on April 1, 2010, Sony disabled the ability to install Linux “due to security concerns”]

Playstation

38. SmartTv

We tested the latest Sony Bravia connected TV, which brings you your favorite video-on-demand service from Netflix or Amazon and a lot more. That’s thanks (in part) to its Linux underpinnings. Of course, it can show you the latest 3-D video, and the one we tested was even smart enough to turn itself off if there was no one sitting in the room.

SmartTv

39. Flight Entertainment Systems

Flight entertainment systems, the ones that allow you to watch TV shows and movies, surf the web, and play games in the comfort (heh) of your own airplane seat, commonly run Linux. Why? Because Linux is extremely flexible, fast, and it doesn’t cost anything in licensing fees. This way, airlines can create their own setups which include client systems (the ones that go into the seats and talk to the server somewhere in the plane) which include cheap hardware. Not only are they saving money with the cheaper hardware that still gets the job done, but they also save money on licensing. Imagine having to pay for a Windows license for every seat in the airline’s entire fleet!

Flight Entertainment Systems

40. Smart Rifle

Do you like guns? You can buy yourself a smart rifle which runs what else but Linux. With the smart rifle, you can do all sorts of things, such as setting a target, and having the rifle keep track of the target and automatically fire whenever you’re aiming correctly to hit it. For hunting, that might take the fun out of the sport, but it’s cool technology nonetheless.

Smart Rifle powered by Linux

41. Self-Driving Cars

Self-driving cars, otherwise known as autonomous vehicles, are not perfect yet, but they’re getting there. Many of them are running Linux, and researchers are using the operating system to find their way toward someday eliminating the need for traffic signals, driver’s licenses, and maybe even rules of the road.

Self Driving Cars

42. Robotic Milking System

What’s the weirdest device that runs Linux? How about a robotic system for milking cows? The VMS, short for Voluntary Milking System, allows the cows to be milked when they want to, and it frees up a dairy farmer’s time quite a bit.

Robotic Milking System

43. GPS (Tom Tom)

Bet you didn’t know that GPS unit on your car’s dashboard was running Linux. Humming away inside many Garmin, Tom Tom (and other) GPS navigators are versions of Linux. Now if the accuracy of the maps could measure up to that sharp Linux code running inside, we wouldn’t have to recalculate so often.

GPS

44. Kindle

The electronics reader that made e-reading famous is the Amazon Kindle, and displaying its E-Ink screen with enough speed to make it a pleasure to use is — you guess it — starts with an “L.”

Kindle Device

45. Wikipedia

Popular online encyclopedia Wikipedia is another staunch supporter of Linux, having switched to Ubunto in 2008 after a lengthy tenure using Red Hat and Fedora prior to that. Ars Technica explains that “Wikimedia’s move to Ubuntu is part of an effort to simplify administration of the organization’s 400 servers” and that the switch “could help increase the distribution’s visibility in the Linux server market and demonstrate its viability in large-scale deployments.” It was no small gig for Ubuntu, which now powers the servers that spit out up to 10 billion page views a month on Wikipedia.

Wikipedia

46. Panasonic

Electronics giant Panasonic is another household name company to use Linux in powering some of its operations. Like several other firms on this list, Panasonic used Linux only after Windows NT proved woefully inadequate for what the company needed – voicemail systems, in this case. Rather than paying NT’s expensive license fees, Panasonic’s in-house developers created their own system incorporating Linux-based voicemail technology. Ultimately, the system they created was so successful that it grew to replace the Windows system completely, which has since been long discontinued.

Panasonic

47. U.S. Department of Defense

The United States Department of Defense is the single biggest customer of Red Hat Linux. The military (!) are enthusiastic about open source software, with one military bigwig calling it a vital part “of the integrated network fabric which connects and enables our command and control system to work effectively, as people’s lives depend on it.”

U.S. Department of Defense

48. Chromebooks

You’d be surprised how many people think Chromebooks run Android — they don’t. Chromebooks run Chrome OS, a Linux distribution based on (but heavily modified from) Gentoo.

Chromebooks

49. Space Robots

Sticking with the space theme, did you know that the first humanoid robot — Robonaut 2 — sent into space (and floating above your head right now in the International Space Station) runs on Linux? You betcha! NASA’s experience with R2 on the station will, it says, help them understand the capabilities and possibilities for robots in future space missions. Not that you’ll get to meet this pioneer as NASA say there are ‘no plans’ to bring R2 back to earth!

Space Robots

50.Digital Signage

From advertising screens to train station terminals: Linux is used in a variety of kiosk and signage situations around the world — far too many to list individually!

Digital Signage

There’s (naturally — this is the internet!) an entire Tumblr dedicated to Linux in public. 

Actually the list is ever growing. That’s all for now. I’ll be here again with an interesting article soon. Till then stay tuned and connected. Give your valuable feedback in comment section.

Source : Linux-powered device

Source : 30 Big Companies and Devices Running on GNU/Linux