Intelligence everywhere: scaling the IoT with flexible chips
Date:
Wed, 27 Aug 2025 08:50:08 +0000
Description:
Flexible chips unlock mass-scale IoT by slashing cost, waste, and barriers to embedded intelligence.
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From smart watches to smart supply chains, digital transformation is
reshaping how we live, work and interact. But the true vision of an interconnected world where billions of everyday items are embedded with intelligence remains just out of reach.
Thats not because the ambition is too bold. In fact, its widely recognized. McKinsey estimates the Internet of Things (IoT) could deliver up to $12.5 trillion in global value by 2030. Extend that connectivity to low-cost everyday objects, and the potential increases dramatically.
So why hasnt it happened yet?
The biggest roadblock is supply. A truly connected world needs a colossal volume of chips. But were not talking about the advanced processors that
power smartphones or autonomous vehicles were talking about simpler, highly distributed, low-cost chips that can be embedded into everyday items.
These so-called legacy chips typically manufactured on 28nm or larger nodes are anything but outdated. Theyre critical to modern electronics, supporting high-performance processors and underpinning countless devices across consumer, industrial and automotive markets.
We saw just how vital they are during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortages of these chips brought global manufacturing to a standstill, delaying everything from cars to home electronics. The ripple effects were felt across entire economies. As the number of smart devices scales, how to prevent a reoccurrence is an ever-present consideration.
So why not just build more chip factories? Traditional fabs cant meet future needs
Scaling legacy chip production is incredibly difficult. The equipment is
aging and hard to replace. New fabs cost tens of billions and take years to build. And since mature-node chips dont deliver the same profit margins as cutting-edge silicon, theres little financial incentive to invest.
Even worse, legacy fabs are environmentally demanding. They consume vast amounts of energy and water. While next-gen fabs are built for
sustainability, retrofitting legacy fabs to reduce their carbon footprint is expensive and complex.
To unlock true scale, we need a fundamentally different approach: one thats faster, affordable, more flexible and designed for sustainable, high-volume production. Enter FlexICs
Flexible integrated circuits (FlexICs) are a new class of semiconductor: a chip thats ultra-thin, physically flexible, and radically more sustainable.
Instead of traditional silicon wafers and high-temperature processing,
FlexICs use thin-film technology and a low-energy manufacturing process. Think: less water, less energy, fewer harmful chemicals and much faster turnaround.
This breakthrough unlocks a faster, more agile development cycle. Designs go from tape-out to volume production in weeks, not months. Costs are dramatically reduced. And it becomes viable to prototype, iterate and customize chips without the high stakes typically associated with silicon design. Built for ubiquitous intelligence
This isnt just a manufacturing story. Its a transformation in how and where intelligence can be deployed.
FlexICs enable connectivity in places where traditional chips simply cant go. Their ultra-thin, flexible form factor means they can be embedded directly into products or packaging, even on curved surfaces, delivering smarter, more connected experiences almost anywhere.
And they support standard communication protocols such as NFC, unlocking seamless, item-level intelligence for mass-market products and the fastest digital connection between brands and their customers.
This embedded intelligence has multiple roles to play, from driving loyalty programs and exclusive content based on location or season, to product authentication, provenance information or even facilitating improved reuse and recycling for a more circular economy.
It also offers a practical route for embedding real-time data collection into previously passive environments, whether thats logistics chains, recycling systems, or agricultural operations.
Wherever you need intelligence, FlexICs bring it sustainably, affordably,
and at scale. The future is flexible
But its goal isnt about competing with silicon fabs. Its about complementing them addressing the unmet need for scalable, cost-effective, environmentally conscious production of the chips that will power the next wave of smart, connected systems.
Were standing at the threshold of a hyperconnected future. But realizing that future depends on embedding intelligence at unprecedented scale. Flexible chips are the key to unlock that potential and make the vision of an interconnected world a reality.
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https://www.techradar.com/pro/intelligence-everywhere-scaling-the-iot-with-fle xible-chips
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