Intel's super-tiny low-power Curie chip, now installed in an Arduino board, helps developers to quickly build prototype devices. The mini module features a 32-bit SOC Quark micro-controller, 6-axis sensor, accelerometer and gyroscope, and Bluetooth connectivity. Intel's itty-bitty CPU was unveiled at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015, has mostly targeted the wearables market, and been used for applications such as bike tricks, sports bras, and robot spiders.
Intel's Curie chip will be built into the brand-new Arduino 101 board, and marketed as Genuino 101 outside the United States. It will have a $30 price tag, according to Engadget.
The 7 centimeters x 5.5 centimeters chip module will include various features. They include a small storage capacity of RAM and Flash, an accelerometer and gyrometer, and Bluetooth Low Energy for wireless Internet access.
Arduino 101 will be marketed for innovative developers and curious students. The teeny-tiny chip is designed for wearable devices such as smart bracelets or pendants, although it could be used in other gadgets that require little processing power.
Intel has recently made wearables makers one of its target markets. That is due to plummeting PC sales and $4 billion smartphone and tablet chip losses in the mobile CPU market last year.
Intel's Curie development board will be available in the first quarter of next year, according to PC World. The chip giant plans to launch even smaller Curie CPUs in the future, either directly or via its partners.
Earlier this year IBM introduced the world's smallest chip. It contains parts that are about the size of one stand of DNA, yet is four times more powerful than today's top-shelf processors.
This video is a demo of the Intel Curie chip tracking BMX bike tricks: