Bendable non-silicon RISC-V microprocessor
Researchers developed Flex-RV, a flexible 32-bit RISC-V microprocessor with low power consumption and a machine learning accelerator, suitable for wearables and healthcare applications, reducing development costs significantly.
Read original article
Researchers have developed Flex-RV, a 32-bit microprocessor based on the open-source RISC-V instruction set, utilizing indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) thin-film transistors on a flexible polyimide substrate. This innovative design allows for an ultralow-cost, bendable microprocessor suitable for emerging applications in wearables, healthcare devices, and smart packaging. Flex-RV integrates a programmable machine learning (ML) hardware accelerator and operates at 60 kHz while consuming less than 6 mW of power. It has been validated to function correctly under bending conditions, with only a 4.3% performance variation on average. The use of RISC-V eliminates licensing fees and non-recurring engineering costs, making it more accessible for developers. Additionally, the flexible nature of the microprocessor allows it to be embedded in various applications that require conformability, such as smart labels and healthcare wearables. The research highlights the potential of non-silicon microprocessors to democratize access to computing and foster innovation in multiple sectors.
- Flex-RV is a 32-bit RISC-V microprocessor designed for flexibility and low cost.
- It integrates a programmable machine learning accelerator and operates efficiently at low power.
- The microprocessor can function correctly under mechanical stress, making it suitable for wearable technology.
- RISC-V's open-source nature reduces development costs and encourages customization.
- Flex-RV aims to enable new applications in healthcare, smart packaging, and consumer goods.
Related
Developing the RISC-V Framework Laptop Mainboard [video]
Deep Computing and Framework HQ have developed the first third-party RISC-V based main board for laptops, highlighting RISC-V's flexibility and control compared to proprietary architectures like x86 and ARM.
RP2350 Launch Blog
Raspberry Pi launched the RP2350 microcontroller family, featuring dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 and RISC-V options, enhanced specifications, native Rust support, and four variants for diverse project requirements.
Third-Party RISC-V Framework Laptop Mainboard
DeepComputing launched a RISC-V Mainboard for the Framework Laptop 13, aimed at developers and hobbyists, featuring a JH7110 processor, with Linux support and a focus on open-source accessibility.
RP2350 Launch Blog
Raspberry Pi launched the RP2350 microcontroller family, featuring dual Arm Cortex-M33 CPUs, optional RISC-V cores, and native Rust support, with four variants and a new booting process for applications.
Bendable non-silicon RISC-V CPU demoed running while wrapped around a pencil
Pragmatic Semiconductor has developed the world's first bendable, non-silicon RISC-V microprocessor with embedded machine learning, aiming to democratize computing access and reduce costs for flexible electronic applications.
0 commentsRelated
Developing the RISC-V Framework Laptop Mainboard [video]
Deep Computing and Framework HQ have developed the first third-party RISC-V based main board for laptops, highlighting RISC-V's flexibility and control compared to proprietary architectures like x86 and ARM.
RP2350 Launch Blog
Raspberry Pi launched the RP2350 microcontroller family, featuring dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 and RISC-V options, enhanced specifications, native Rust support, and four variants for diverse project requirements.
Third-Party RISC-V Framework Laptop Mainboard
DeepComputing launched a RISC-V Mainboard for the Framework Laptop 13, aimed at developers and hobbyists, featuring a JH7110 processor, with Linux support and a focus on open-source accessibility.
RP2350 Launch Blog
Raspberry Pi launched the RP2350 microcontroller family, featuring dual Arm Cortex-M33 CPUs, optional RISC-V cores, and native Rust support, with four variants and a new booting process for applications.
Bendable non-silicon RISC-V CPU demoed running while wrapped around a pencil
Pragmatic Semiconductor has developed the world's first bendable, non-silicon RISC-V microprocessor with embedded machine learning, aiming to democratize computing access and reduce costs for flexible electronic applications.