Jan. 12, 2026 –
By Joshua Tidwell
Recent updates show where RISC-V is heading, from compact ESP32 devices to one of the biggest names in mainstream computing.
RISC-V used to be something you’d only see if you were really into dev boards or ISA talks. Now, it’s appearing in real hardware and in the plans of major companies. This change is happening because teams want more control over their computing and more flexibility with software—and they don’t want to be stuck with just one option.
This roundup covers six updates for RISC-V: three are hands-on platforms using Espressif’s RISC-V chips, and three are bigger signs from the ecosystem. Together, they show RISC-V growing in two ways: as the backbone of many smaller connected devices and as the subject of keen interest among large semiconductor companies and governments alike.