The context for my research is embedded systems. By embedded systems I mean computer systems purchased as part of some other piece of equipment; for example aircraft flight controls, jet engine controls, and automotive electronics.
While the one thing that distinguishes embedded systems as a group is their diversity, it is common for an embedded system to have dedicated software. They are commonly used as a way to supplant previously electromechanical controls; and typically they don't look like a desktop computer.
The worldwide microcontroller market is now over 3 billion units per year, and is steadily growing. In contrast to the desktop computing market that is dominated by a handful of hardware designs and a modest number of high-volume software packages, the embedded market has a huge number of diverse designs and applications.