IIT Madras Backed Startup Launches First India-Made Microcontroller Chip

Mindgrove Technologies, an IIT Madras incubated startup has launched Secure IoT, India’s first indigenous high-performance microcontroller chip.

Mindgrove was incubated at the IIT Madras Research Park and is backed by investors like Peak XV Partners. And, the launch of this Secure IoT marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in semiconductor manufacturing. This startup also provides design support to Indian brands to help accelerate innovation and local production in the semiconductor sector. 

What are the key highlights of this India-made microcontroller chip?

• It is the only commercially available India-made chip in this performance segment, it’s a RISC-V-based system-on-chip (SoC) that clocks at 700 MHz.
• The chip is designed to provide programmability, flexibility, security, and high computing power for managing a wide range of smart devices from wearables to electric vehicle systems.
• Mindgrove claims that this chip is 30% cheaper than other chips in a similar performance class, allowing Indian original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate an India-made SoC into their products and reduce cost without compromising on features.

What are the applications of this microcontroller?

This Secure IoT microcontroller chip developed by Mindgrove Technologies has a wide range of applications across various domains. 

• Secure IoT can power a variety of IoT devices including smart home appliances, wearables, and industrial sensors. Also, its low power consumption and high performance make it suitable for battery-operated devices.
• This microcontroller can be utilized for smart agriculture to monitor soil moisture, temperature, and humidity in their fields. It can also control irrigation systems, track livestock, and manage crop health.
• In factories and manufacturing units, Secure IoT can be integrated into machinery and equipment for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process optimization.
• Medical wearables, patient monitoring systems, and telemedicine devices can benefit from its capabilities.
• It can be used in EV battery management systems, motor control units, and vehicle diagnostics.
• Students and researchers can use Secure IoT for prototyping and experimenting with embedded systems.
• From smart TVs to home automation hubs, Secure IoT can enhance the functionality of consumer electronics.