IIT Madras-incubated startup Mindgrove Technologies has unveiled Secure IoT, India’s inaugural microcontroller chip, marking a significant milestone in the country’s semiconductor industry. Developed with support from Peak XV Partners and incubated by IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and IIT Madras Incubation Cell, Secure IoT represents a breakthrough in indigenous chip technology.
A system-on-chip (SoC), Secure IoT consolidates numerous electronic components into a single chip, resembling a miniature computer. Its integration into printed circuit boards (PCBs) enhances device efficiency and compactness, catering to a diverse range of electronic applications, from wearables to smart city infrastructure.
Secure IoT offers Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) the opportunity to incorporate a homegrown SoC into their products, thereby reducing production costs without sacrificing advanced features. Notably, Secure IoT is priced 30 percent lower than comparable chips in the market, making it the sole commercially available Indian chip in its segment.
Operating at a speed of 700 MHz, Secure IoT emerges as India’s leading high-performance microcontroller chip, renowned for its versatility, adaptability, and robust security features. Based on the RISC-V architecture, it addresses the demand for cost-effective yet high-performing chips, bridging the gap between premium and budget alternatives in the embedded systems domain.
Mindgrove Technologies CEO and Co-Founder, Shashwath TR, underscores the company’s mission to cater to the middle market, where affordability, performance, and security are paramount considerations. He emphasizes the importance of developing chips that are not only adaptable and secure but also cost-effective, particularly in light of the disparities exacerbated by the pandemic.
Secure IoT is poised to replace millions of existing chips in India, positioning the nation as a key player in the global semiconductor landscape and bolstering self-sufficiency in chip manufacturing. Its programmability, flexibility, security features, and robust computing power make it ideal for managing an array of smart devices, spanning wearables, smart city infrastructure, connected home appliances, and electric vehicle (EV) systems.
Mindgrove Technologies, co-founded by Shashwath TR and Sharan Srinivas J, aims to deliver energy-efficient and economically viable solutions for various sectors, including IoT, automotive, and vision. In addition to chip development, the company offers design support to Indian brands, fostering innovation and domestic production in the semiconductor industry.
