Increasingly we're seeing powerful Internet of Things devices that run Linux rather than a special embedded OS. In order to reduce resource usage and decrease the attack surface, it makes sense to build a custom Linux distribution that only contains the tools and dependencies needed to run the software on the device. In this context the Yocto Project has renewed relevance as a tool to create a Linux distribution tailored to the needs of a specific case. The learning curve is steep and due to its flexibility, it can be easy to do the wrong thing. However, over the many years of its existence, the Yocto Project has attracted an active community that can help. Compared to similar tools, it's easier to integrate into a CD workflow and, unlike Android Things or Ubuntu core for example, it's not tied to a specific ecosystem.
