Intel has announced its first Internet of Things microchip. Called the Quark D1000, it’s a small, low-power microcontroller specifically designed for IoT applications.
As the Wall Street Journal notes, a standard Intel laptop chip might use somewhere around 15 watts, whereas Quark uses only 27 milliwatts. This focus on low power is important in the IoT, as devices need to have IT architecture able to run constantly in devices and products that aren’t necessarily rechargeable. The chip is also designed to work in a wide range of temperatures, further expanding its potential applications; for example, being able to function in extreme heat could find the chip in industrial IoT settings.
Another major selling point is the microcontroller’s low cost. The D1000 will be priced between $2 and $3, and Intel says its price will probably go down in the future. Meanwhile, it has a second Quark, the D2000, slated for release later this year, and a third in preparation for launch in 2016.
As other major players like IBM and even national governments invest into IoT R&D, we can expect more such products from Intel and others in the pipeline – particularly given the massive growth expected for the IoT.
Source: The Wall Street Journal