Huawei has launched a new microkernel-based, distributed operating system dubbed HarmonyOS, which aims to deliver a “cohesive user experience across all devices and scenarios.”

Huawei said traditionally, new operating systems were released alongside new types of devices. It added that about ten years ago, it imagined a future where intelligence would seamlessly integrate with all aspects of people’s lives.

Huawei said it aimed to establish an integrated and shared ecosystem across devices, create a secure and reliable runtime environment, and deliver a holistic intelligent experience across every interaction with every device.

HarmonyOS is billed as a lightweight, compact operating system, and will first be used for smart devices like smart watches, smart screens, in-vehicle systems, and smart speakers.

Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, said consumers increasingly demanded a holistic intelligent experience across all devices and scenarios. “To support this, we felt it was important to have an operating system with improved cross-platform capabilities. We needed an OS that supports all scenarios, that can be used across a broad range of devices and platforms, and that can meet consumer demand for low latency and strong security,” he said.

“These were our goals with HarmonyOS,” Yu continued. “HarmonyOS is completely different from Android and iOS. It is a microkernel-based, distributed OS that delivers a smooth experience across all scenarios. It has trustworthy and secure architecture, and it supports seamless collaboration across devices. You can develop your apps once, then flexibly deploy them across a range of different devices.”