RISC-V shows great promise in Europe

The European technology sector is undergoing significant change with the growing popularity of the open source instruction set architecture RISC-V.

At the recent RISC-V Europe Summit, leading experts and industry representatives discussed how Europe can position itself as a key player in the RISC-V ecosystem within a complex network of funding mechanisms, research institutes and industry partnerships. This development marks a technological advance and hints at a strategic shift towards greater autonomy in semiconductor technology.

At the conference, EE Times spoke with Stefan Wallentowitz, professor at the University of Applied Sciences Munich and member of the FOSSi Foundation and RISC-V board, and Teresa Cervero, principal research engineer at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC).

Innovate with European funding

European projects and grants have been crucial in driving the development of RISC-V. European funding agencies have made huge investments in research institutes and universities, creating fertile ground for innovation.

Wallentowitz, a prominent figure in the RISC-V field, told us that while universities drove much of the initial research in RISC-V, the ultimate responsibility for turning that research into commercial products lies with industry. "Ultimately, it's the companies' responsibility. We all support the transfer of our results to industry, but it's not our mission to make it happen," he said.

The funding structure is designed to incentivize collaboration between academia and industry. Typically, universities cover 70% of the research budget and expect industry partners to contribute the remaining 30%. This model ensures that industry stakeholders feel a sense of ownership over the research results, thereby creating a conducive environment for technology transfer.

Commercialization Challenges

While the influx of funding is encouraging, there are still challenges in translating academic research into commercial products.

Wallentowitz noted that German universities, for example, are limited to producing pre-commercial technology results. “Research projects can only produce results that are at a technology readiness level of 4 or 5,” he explained. This limitation requires industry involvement to push technology beyond the research stage.

Cervero, who is also a member of the RISC-V Summit organizing committee, emphasized that universities and research institutions focus on showcasing innovative ideas and improvements. “We come up with ideas and show improvements. Companies have to see the potential and capitalize on it,” she said. This division of responsibilities ensures that research remains at the forefront, while industry drives practical applications.

Comparing Ecosystems: Europe vs. the United States

The European RISC-V ecosystem stands in stark contrast to the U.S., which has a more pronounced culture of industry-led research funding. Programs like DARPA actively encourage universities to collaborate with industry partners, facilitating a smoother transition from research to commercial products.

In Europe, however, the scale and nature of such collaborations are different. Wallentowitz noted that while industry-academia collaborations exist in Europe, they tend to be less active than in the United States. “The lack of an industry-driven innovation ecosystem is the problem,” he said. European industry is more conservative and has higher expectations for demonstrable results before committing to commercialization.

Cervero echoed that sentiment, noting that European investors tend to be more risk-averse and demand concrete evidence of potential success before investing. “Investment in Europe is much more conservative than in the U.S. Companies want assurances that in two years there will be a product with these features,” she said.

Bridging the gap between RISC-V and manufacturing

A key aspect of RISC-V’s development in Europe is manufacturing capabilities. European researchers often rely on deals with companies that have access to manufacturing facilities at lower costs. Such arrangements underscore the importance of strategic partnerships in overcoming infrastructure limitations and scaling up production.

Wallentowitz, Cervero and other experts said there is a growing trend for European institutions to seek collaboration with international partners, including in the United States, Japan and Brazil. These partnerships are critical to sharing expertise, accessing resources and ensuring that European RISC-V innovations remain competitive around the world.

Opportunities and future prospects

Despite these challenges, the future of RISC-V in Europe is promising. The open-source nature of RISC-V offers a unique advantage, allowing for widespread adoption and adaptation across a variety of applications. Wallentowitz expressed confidence that RISC-V will gain widespread adoption in industrial applications, especially automation. “I think this will happen within the next five years, probably by 2027,” he predicted.

Cervero suggested that wider adoption might start with small, consumer-oriented devices. By demonstrating success in these areas, RISC-V could build a track record to encourage wider use in industries such as automotive – where Europe has significant expertise but where rigorous validation and certification are required. “Starting with small IoT devices is the best approach because you can get useful devices at a lower price in the short term,” she said.

Furthermore, Europe’s collaborative spirit transcends its borders. Institutions such as the Bavarian California Technology Transfer Program embody cross-border partnerships that can enrich the RISC-V ecosystem with diverse inputs and expand its impact.

RISC-V is a strategic imperative

RISC-V represents more than just technological progress for Europe; it is a strategic imperative. As competition in the global semiconductor market intensifies, Europe’s investment in RISC-V marks a move toward greater technological sovereignty. By fostering a strong ecosystem connecting academia and industry, Europe is nurturing innovation and ensuring it can translate into tangible economic and strategic benefits.

The future of RISC-V in Europe is both an opportunity and a challenge. Through continued collaboration, strategic investment and a focus on commercialization, Europe is well-positioned to fully exploit the potential of RISC-V and drive a new era of open source innovation in the semiconductor industry.