Custom Operating System Now Available on AWS DeepRacer Devices

AWS has released a bootloader for its autonomous racing cars DeepRacer, allowing you to install custom operating systems instead of the default Ubuntu 16.04 and 20.04, which are no longer supported. The bootloader is based on the open-source project shim and provides three key features: self-managed certificate management, clear visual indicators (flashing "DEVELOPER MODE" in Morse code on the built-in LEDs and an HDMI warning), and a standard verification process. The deepracing.io community has already created a custom distribution based on Ubuntu 24.04 and ROS2 Jazzy with the Cloudscape interface, optimized for racing. The process is fully reversible, allowing a return to the factory configuration. Three options are available: installing the community distribution, a third-party OS (such as Ubuntu), or building your own OS by placing the BOOTX64.EFI bootloader and certificates in the appropriate partitions. After booting, the bootloader displays a warning and flashes the indicator for about 21 seconds, then checks the kernel signature against the local certificate store and hands control to the OS.