Qualcomm and Google Collaborate on New Wearable Chip Using RISC-V Technology

San Diego-based semiconductor company Qualcomm is deepening its ties with tech giant Google. The duo aims to bring forward a novel chip for wearable technology utilizing the RISC-V technology. RISC-V, referred to as ‘risk-five’, is an open-source instruction set architecture (ISA). This pioneering technology acts as a backbone for a variety of gadgets, from supercomputers to smartwatches.

Historically, the British chip designer Arm Holdings, with its proprietary technology, has been the go-to solution for many tech companies. Qualcomm’s move towards an open-source RISC-V technology signals a potential shift in the industry, especially given the high costs associated with Arm’s proprietary technology.

From Concept to Reality

Touted as the prospective first-ever mass-market RISC-V Android system-on-a-chip, Qualcomm’s innovation could usher in an era where RISC-V compatible central processing units (CPUs) become standard in the Android ecosystem. The company is geared up to roll out the RISC-V-based wearables platform on a global scale, including the US, a region where chip competition is intensifying due to geopolitical tensions.

RISC-V’s Rising Prominence

This collaboration comes at a time when both Google and Qualcomm have shown increasing interest in the RISC-V arena. Recently, the two behemoths, along with other industry titans, inaugurated the RISC-V Software Ecosystem. Qualcomm also marked its footprint by investing in a start-up dedicated to advancing RISC-V hardware development.

Bjorn Kilburn, the general manager of Wear OS by Google, encapsulated the shared enthusiasm, emphasizing the pivotal role Qualcomm has played in the Wear OS ecosystem and the shared excitement about the RISC-V wearable solution.

Impact on the Chip Industry

The evolution of RISC-V can potentially reshape the semiconductor market. When juxtaposed with UK’s semiconductor giant Arm, RISC-V’s open-source and royalty-free nature offers a compelling advantage, granting companies the autonomy to craft completely tailored cores, thereby fostering innovation and competition.

Furthermore, the global chip deficit underscores the fragility of overdependence on a handful of key players, primarily in Asia. In response, western regions are amplifying their investments in semiconductor ecosystems. With the EU launching its Chips Act and the UK allocating £1bn towards a semiconductor strategy, the competition is slated to become more intense.

The Qualcomm-Google partnership signifies more than just a technological collaboration; it mirrors a tectonic shift in the semiconductor landscape. As tech giants rally towards open-source platforms like RISC-V, the resulting disruption might decentralize the market, ushering in a new age of innovation and competition. As with all innovations, the real litmus test will be its market adoption, but the future looks promising.