In today's rapidly evolving embedded systems landscape, the demand for sophisticated, visually compelling, and highly customizable user interfaces (UIs) is at an all-time high. As devices become smarter and more connected, the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) has evolved from a functional necessity to a key differentiator. Renesas recognizes this shift and is committed to empower our customers with the best tools and technologies to accelerate their UI development journey. With that in mind, Renesas collaborated with LVGL - the world's leading open-source embedded graphics library - to launch the Renesas LVGL UI Kit. This kit is a comprehensive solution combining the new LVGL Pro UI Editor and the robust LVGL UI Graphics Library, deeply integrated into Renesas' development environment and tooling. We'll walk you through on how Renesas transforms the embedded UI landscape through the collaboration with LVGL, in support of our open-source strategy, also combining in our unique offering of free LVGL Pro licenses for selected Renesas customers.
The Power of Open Source: Why Renesas Supports LVGL
Renesas has long recognized the transformative potential of open-source software in embedded development. The LVGL embedded graphics library supports scalable platforms from 100MHz MCUs to multi-core Linux-based MPUs, delivering tangible benefits to our customers:
- Option to select a free software license
- Flexibility and transparency
- Support by a robust, global community
- Maximize reuse, reducing development effort
The Renesas LVGL UI Kit: Integrating LVGL's Pro UI Editor + Graphics Library in Renesas' Development Environment and Tooling
Renesas LVGL UI Kit combines LVGL's next-generation UI editor and the world's most popular open-source embedded graphics library, pre-integrated and optimized for Renesas MCUs and MPUs. The LVGL UI graphics library offers a rich widget set, optimizes performance, portability, and enables community-driven innovation. The LVGL Pro UI editor includes enterprise-grade development workflow features, visual and code-centric development, cross-platform compatibility, version control and collaboration, and rapid iteration to enable professional teams and enterprises to accelerate their development.
Renesas delivers a seamless workflow between LVGL Pro and its development environment, complete with ready-to-run demos, using a plug-in provided by LVGL for e² studio and VS Code. Developers can reduce development time by designing, previewing, and deploying rich embedded UIs immediately on Renesas platforms.
A wide range of Renesas' 32-bit RA and RX MCUs and 64-bit RZ MPUs are certified by LVGL. Support is readily available in the evaluation kits for the RA8P1, RA8D1, RA8D2, RA6M3, RX72N MCUs, and RZ/G2L, RZ/G2UL, RZ/A3M MPUs. Renesas continues to further expand to well-suited RA MCUs, RX MCUs, and RZ MPUs. LVGL provides ready-to-use projects offering seamless integration, optimized performance, and easy-to-follow user guides, including user issues and extensive documentation support.
LVGL Pro Makes HMI Development Easier
LVGL Pro (formerly LVGL Editor) is LVGL's UI editor designed for enterprise clients, featuring developer-focused workflows. Utilizing an XML-based approach, it defines components, widgets, and screens, enabling developers to construct modular user interfaces entirely within a text-based workflow. The platform offers a pixel-perfect Preview & Inspector, supports online sharing, and includes CLI integration for CI/CD processes. Visual drag-and-drop interface design is facilitated through the import of UI layouts from Figma, a third-party design environment, via a Figma Import plugin that synchronizes styles and assets created in Figma. Users interested in evaluating Figma can register for and use a free Starter Figma account. Enhanced Figma plugin functionality and a more user-friendly, drag-and-drop mode catering to less developer-centric workflows are planned for release by early 2026.
Renesas + LVGL: An Initiative That Delivers
Our collaboration with LVGL is more than just technical integration it's a strategic collaboration that strengthens Renesas' HMI offering and delivers unique value to our customers:
- Certified support by LVGL for Renesas devices
- Direct LVGL Pro support for Renesas products
- Provision of LVGL Pro licenses to select Renesas customers
- Technical support and training
"At LVGL, we are working on creating an ecosystem and partnership network that makes LVGL the de facto embedded UI development solution. The strategic initiative with Renesas brings us a huge step closer to that vision while enabling Renesas users to simplify and accelerate their UI development workflows.", said Gabor Kiss-Vamosi, Founder and CEO at LVGL.
"At Renesas, we are committed to empowering innovation in embedded user interfaces", said Mohammed Dogar, Vice President, Head of Global Product Marketing and Core Technologies, Embedded Processing at Renesas. "Our collaboration with LVGL brings together the strengths of open-source technology and Renesas' robust development platforms, enabling our customers to accelerate UI development with flexibility, confidence, and world-class support".
Real-World Impact: Accelerating Embedded UI Development
The LVGL UI Kit is already making a difference for Renesas customers enabling:
- Faster time to market
- Seamless integration with Renesas-supported IDE tools like e² studio and VS Code
- Future-proof and scalable solutions
Renesas Ready and Open-Source Leadership
The LVGL initiative is part of the broader Renesas Ready ecosystem - a global network of over 300 partners delivering 480+ building-block solutions across MCUs, MPUs, and application domains. By championing open source and fostering deep partnerships, Renesas ensures customers have access to the latest technologies, expert support, and a vibrant, innovative community.
Renesas Empowers the Next Generation of Embedded UIs
Renesas' support for LVGL and the launch of the LVGL UI Kit mark a significant milestone in our commitment to open source, customer empowerment, and UI innovation. By providing free access to LVGL Pro for select customers, robust technical support, and seamless integration with our hardware platforms, we enable our customers to create the next generation embedded user interfaces—faster, more flexibly, and with greater confidence than ever before.
Ready to get started? Explore the LVGL Pro Editor and LVGL UI Library solution pages and LVGL's documentation for more information.