Breakthrough bendable 32-bit microprocessor costs less than a buck to make

Sep 30, 2024

Pragmatic Semiconductor's Flex-RV microprocessor is a flexible, 32-bit chip costing under a dollar, utilizing IGZO and the RISC-V architecture.

Breakthrough bendable 32-bit microprocessor costs less than a buck to make

: Pragmatic Semiconductor introduced Flex-RV, a 32-bit flexible microprocessor priced under a dollar using RISC-V architecture and IGZO material. The chip performs with minimal efficiency loss when bent and achieves a clock speed of 60 kHz with 12,600 logic gates. Consuming less than 6 mW, it's ideal for medical devices and flexible electronics. Full details were published in Nature on September 25.

Pragmatic Semiconductor has developed Flex-RV, a 32-bit microprocessor that costs less than a dollar and uses RISC-V architecture and IGZO material for flexibility. IGZO transistors are printed directly onto plastic substrates, avoiding the complex packaging needed for silicon chips, thus making the microprocessor bendable and less expensive to produce.

Flex-RV demonstrated remarkable performance, continuing to execute code even when wrapped around a straw. Although the maximum clock speed is only 60 kHz, the chip incorporates a low-power machine learning accelerator, making it suitable for disposable medical devices and innovative flexible gadgets.

Despite modest processing power, Flex-RV represents a significant innovation in flexible electronics. Consuming less than 6 mW of power, it is perfect for health wearables, soft robotics, and brain-computer interfaces. Full details were shared in the journal Nature on September 25, showcasing its potential impact.