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

Flexible Microprocessor Unveiled by British Startup

Flexible: British startup Pragmatic Semiconductor has introduced a groundbreaking 32-bit microprocessor known as Flex-RV. This innovative chip is capable of running machine learning models while also being bendable, all for a price under a dollar. Built on the open standard RISC-V architecture, the Flex-RV chip utilizes a unique material called indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) to achieve its highly adaptable design.

The use of IGZO as opposed to traditional silicon allows for the chip to be printed directly onto plastic substrates at low temperatures, eliminating the need for complex and costly packaging. This material innovation enables the Flex-RV to be rolled up around a straw and continue functioning without any disruption, showcasing its impressive flexibility.

While the chip’s performance may not be on par with high-end processors, with a maximum clock speed of 60 kHz, the Flex-RV prototype integrates a low-power machine learning accelerator, making it ideal for applications such as disposable medical devices and flexible wearable technologies.

By leveraging the open-source RISC-V instruction set, Pragmatic has managed to keep costs low by avoiding expensive architecture licensing fees. The chip’s efficiency and flexibility make it a promising candidate for a new generation of gadgets, including soft robotics and brain-computer interfaces.

In testing, the Flex-RV processor demonstrated resilience by maintaining accuracy even when bent to a 5 mm radius curve. This represents a significant improvement over previous bendable chips, showcasing its durability and adaptability.

While other attempts have been made to create flexible PCBs, the Flex-RV stands out for its ability to twist and contort, taking the concept of bendable microprocessors to a new level. The details of this groundbreaking technology were recently published in the journal Nature.