Munich-based Quintauris, a company dedicated to advancing the RISC-V instruction set architecture, has welcomed STMicroelectronics as its latest shareholder. This move marks a significant step in Quintauris’ efforts to accelerate the commercialisation of RISC-V-based products. The addition of STMicroelectronics, a major player in the semiconductor industry, is expected to enhance the collaborative potential of Quintauris in various industrial applications.
Quintauris has previously been in the spotlight for its innovative approach to RISC-V technology. The company has steadily gained attention since its inception in 2023, primarily focusing on the automotive sector. The addition of STMicroelectronics is seen as a strategic maneuver to further bolster its industrial reach and technological capabilities. Historically, RISC-V has been leveraged by companies for its open-source nature, which allows for customized hardware solutions, a trend that Quintauris continues to champion.
Next-generation hardware development
Founded in 2023, Quintauris aims to accelerate the commercialisation of RISC-V-based products by providing reference architectures and support for creating versatile solutions. RISC-V (Reduced Instruction Set Computer Five), originally developed by researchers at the University of California in 2010, is an open-source instruction set architecture (ISA) that standardises processor instructions. Initially focusing on the automotive sector, Quintauris plans to expand into mobile and IoT applications.
“ST is a welcome addition to our list of shareholders. By fostering collaboration between the world’s largest semiconductor companies, we aim to explore and unlock the potential of RISC-V for all the industries we will serve,” said Alexander Kocher, CEO of Quintauris.
Focus on expanding applications
The inclusion of companies like Robert Bosch GmbH, Infineon Technologies AG, Nordic Semiconductor ASA, NXP Semiconductors, and Qualcomm Technologies as existing shareholders highlights the significant industry interest in RISC-V. These collaborations are anticipated to lead to the development of more advanced and diverse hardware solutions. Quintauris’ strategy encompasses not only the automotive sector but also aims at making strides in mobile and IoT applications, broadening the scope of RISC-V technology.
Currently, Quintauris is led by CEO Alexander Kocher, who previously served as President and CEO of Elektrobit, a provider of embedded and connected software for the automotive industry. Before Elektrobit, he was the Vice President and General Manager of Wind River’s automotive business unit. Kocher has held senior management and engineering roles at Continental, Siemens, and Infineon. His extensive experience in the automotive and semiconductor industries positions him to effectively guide Quintauris in its mission.
He says, “We absolutely believe in the power of collaboration and look forward to engaging with the RISC-V ecosystem to speed development and enhance resilience.”
Quintauris’ approach of leveraging RISC-V’s open-source ISA underscores the potential to revolutionise various sectors by providing cost-effective and customizable solutions. The company’s vision to expand into mobile and IoT applications signals a forward-thinking strategy, aiming to exploit the scalability and flexibility of RISC-V. With STMicroelectronics joining as a shareholder, Quintauris is well-positioned to harness cross-industry expertise, which is likely to foster innovation and growth.
