(Source: Tomi Rantakari, CEO of ChipFlow, and Luca Testa, COO of Keysom)RISC-V has been a hot topic in the semiconductor industry for many years, and for good reason. As an open standard ISA alternative to traditional processor architectures like ARM and x86, it holds great promise, but its widespread adoption faces significant obstacles. Clearly, RISC-V is making progress, but the road ahead is not smooth.Software Ecosystem: The Fatal Weakness of RISC-VOne of the biggest barriers to the widespread adoption of RISC-V is its software ecosystem, or more bluntly, the lack of a true software ecosystem. In terms of software availability and development, RISC-V is still catching up to companies like Arm and x86. We believe that the RISC-V software ecosystem needs improvements in several key areas to fully realize its potential.Compilers and Optimization: Many compilers still do not prioritize RISC-V, leading to lower code efficiency.Limited Application Support: Major software vendors have not fully embraced RISC-V.No Major Cloud Computing Presence: Although some large tech companies are interested, RISC-V has not made significant strides in cloud computing or large data centers like Arm and x86.This results in RISC-V being more likely to appear in hobbyist domains or deeply embedded in larger SoCs.Why RISC-V Companies Are StrugglingMany companies have attempted to commercialize RISC-V successfully, but they often encounter the same issues.Vendor Lock-in Still Exists: Many companies are looking for alternatives to the traditional expensive licensing model. However, many RISC-V providers have effectively replicated this model for themselves.Insufficient Revenue: Despite operating in the market for several years, many RISC-V companies still rely on investor funding rather than sustainable profits to operate.Market Hesitation: Although initially exciting, RISC-V lacks a standout feature. For RISC-V to truly seize opportunities, it needs a major market player to fully support it.Industry monopolies, especially in the IP and EDA sectors, may slow the adoption of innovative new technologies. Dominant players control key tools and resources, creating barriers to competition and limiting attention to open alternatives like RISC-V. RISC-V offers flexibility and customizability, but the lack of access to essential design tools and IP cores still affects its growth. A more open and competitive environment would further accelerate innovation and lead to broader adoption of RISC-V.The Bigger Picture: RISC-V in Open Source HardwareDespite the obstacles, RISC-V remains one of the best examples of success in open source hardware, arguably the most successful. It undoubtedly sets a standard for high-quality, verified open source IP.The hardware world is proprietary: Unlike the thriving open-source model in software, hardware companies still highly protect their designs and intellectual property. Open hardware requires a greater degree of contributions from multiple sources compared to open software.Lack of Transparency: Semiconductor companies do not publicly share design data, making collaboration and innovation more challenging than in the open-source software domain.Community Fragmentation: While RISC-V has gained attention, other open hardware projects have not received the same level of industry support.That said, RISC-V proves that open source hardware can meet commercial standards—it just needs more industry support to fully realize its potential.The Automotive Industry: A Tough Market to CrackThe demand for specialized, efficient, and reliable processors in the automotive industry has never been higher. The market still heavily relies on mature proprietary standards, with limited robust design tools and support ecosystems.In automotive applications, semiconductor suppliers have not fully met market demands for the following reasons:Strict Quality Standards: Automotive-grade chips must meet stringent safety and reliability requirements (e.g., ISO 26262), and currently, not all RISC-V solutions can meet these requirements.Incomplete Ecosystem: Beyond processors, the automotive market requires full-stack solutions—including software, security, and long-term support.Slow Adoption Curve: Automotive manufacturers are reluctant to take risks when adopting new technologies, making the transition to RISC-V a slow process.In the automotive sector, RISC-V has unique advantages in customizing processors to meet specific performance and safety standards. To play a larger role in the automotive field, RISC-V needs to prove it can meet these demands with the same reliability as traditional solutions. This presents the possibility of providing efficient, cost-effective, and safe solutions for next-generation vehicles, which increasingly rely on advanced computing for automation, connectivity, and electrification.Where Do We Go From Here?The key points we discussed are clear: RISC-Vneeds better positioning: It is not a panacea, but it plays an important role in open source IP and embedded applications.The ecosystem gaps must be filled: Without strong software and industry collaboration, the adoption of RISC-V will continue to face challenges.Strategic partnerships are necessary: Collaborating with industry leaders and policymakers (e.g., EU initiatives) can help accelerate development.Final ThoughtsRISC-V is evolving, but despite many companies hoping for it, it is not a de facto solution. However, RISC-V’s greatest success lies in proving that open source hardware is viable! It has also found a market in smaller 32-bit cores and accelerators, particularly in decentralized areas like IoT and industrial applications, where customization and cost-effectiveness are key.However, gaps in the software ecosystem, business models, and industry adoption still need to be addressed.Ultimately, RISC-V has the potential to reshape the industry by providing a more open and customizable alternative than traditional architectures. However, for RISC-V to truly realize its potential in the automotive sector, continuous collaboration, innovation, strategic investment, and overcoming technical and industry-specific barriers are required.In the coming years, efforts should focus on accelerating the development of RISC-V hardware IP and software ecosystems and fostering stronger cross-industry collaboration. We will also closely monitor how RISC-V and open source hardware continue to shape the semiconductor industry.
