In an exclusive interview with Dataquest, Shashwath TR, co-founder and CEO of Mindgrove Technologies unveiled the company’s revolutionary secure IoT chip. Designed and manufactured in India, the chip is focused on long-term security and is expected to revolutionize the country’s gadget industry. Let’s take a closer look at how this innovation will redefine connected devices, from smartwatches to everyday appliances.
Why did you choose the 28nm process for your first chip?
The 28nm node is a “Goldilocks node”: old enough to be mature, but new enough to offer high performance. It is also a bulk silicon (vs. FinFET) node, making it easier to design into compared to newer nodes. 28nm allows you to add a ton of features at a very competitive cost. Finally, there is spare manufacturing capacity, so you don’t run into production bottlenecks as easily.
What are the benefits of Secure IoT besides security?
Secure IoT is perfect for connected devices like smartwatches, but it can also be used in a wide range of devices that are becoming “smart” for the first time, such as smart locks, sockets, TVs, refrigerators, dishwashers and meters. The chip is also suitable for Battery Management Systems (BMS) and Vehicle Control Units (VCU) in electric motorcycles and automobiles. We look forward to seeing the creative ways engineers use our chips.
In what areas do you see Secure IoT being used?
EV and Cars
4w: Non-safety-critical, low computational power systems.
2w: BMS, VCU, etc.
Wearables
Smart Watches
Modern Homes
For example: smart locks, fans, lights, sockets, speakers etc.
Home appliances
Home appliances
Smart Meter
Utility Meter
Security Devices
Access Control
Can you name some gadgets that would benefit most from Secure IoT? Also, what additional features can OEMs/ODMs consider with Secure IoT?
As mentioned above, Secure IoT can be used in a wide variety of devices. Devices built with Secure IoT will not only be more secure, but also significantly more reliable. We believe these devices will last much longer than the typical 6-12 months we see in the market today. This increased security and reliability should increase trust and confidence in our partners.
What will your next product focus be?
The next chip is the MG Vision SoC, which is designed to process image and video data, making it ideal for camera setups in security systems, vehicles, and other devices.
