Jun. 24, 2025 –
While ARM and x86 architectures continue to dominate the embedded and AI processing landscape, the demand for adaptable, power-efficient solutions is opening the door to new contenders. Among them, RISC-V stands out—not for what it is today, but for what it could become.
Recently, the launch of Innatera’s PULSAR microcontroller, a neuromorphic device built for edge AI, has spotlighted the opportunity for RISC-V to carve out a unique niche in the evolving AI hardware ecosystem.
What limitations does RISC-V still face, how does PULSAR signal a shift in embedded intelligence, and could this convergence of open-source architecture and edge AI reshape the future of computing?
Over the past few years, RISC-V has shifted from an academic curiosity to a viable player in the embedded systems world. What began as an open instruction set architecture (ISA) aimed at giving designers freedom from licensing constraints has turned into a global engineering effort. Today, RISC-V cores are appearing in everything from development boards to production-ready microcontrollers and FPGAs. And while the momentum is impressive, it's far from being a drop-in replacement for the likes of ARM.
However, RISC-V, for all its promise, lacks the robust ecosystem that ARM has spent decades refining. Toolchains, libraries, RTOS support, peripheral drivers - you name it. With ARM, it just works. RISC-V mostly works if you're willing to patch some tools and read through vague documentation. And when it comes to power efficiency, ARM still dominates the embedded landscape. Cortex-M series chips have set the bar for ultra-low-power designs, and RISC-V hasn't quite caught up.
But it's not a fair comparison. Not yet. RISC-V is still a child among grownups - an ISA in its infancy. It doesn't have the legacy baggage of x86 nor the entrenched business model of ARM. That's actually its strength. It has the freedom to evolve, to specialise, and to leapfrog in areas where legacy players can't - or won't - move quickly...