MIPS, once a renowned processor architecture alongside X86 and Arm, has undergone multiple strategic adjustments and ownership changes in recent years. From its original MIPS instruction set to the adoption of the RISC-V architecture, and now focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) robot chip design, MIPS's transformation journey has been filled with both challenges and opportunities.

The MIPS architecture was born at Stanford University, established in 1984 by a team led by John Hennessy. Its simple and efficient design made it one of the most innovative processor architectures in the 1990s, with even Windows supporting the MIPS architecture at one point. However, as Arm and X86 rose to prominence, MIPS gradually lost its market edge, especially in the mobile device and PC sectors.

In recent years, MIPS has experienced a series of ownership changes. In 2018, Wave Computing acquired MIPS and filed for bankruptcy in 2020. In 2021, MIPS emerged from bankruptcy, announcing its focus on the RISC-V architecture, an open-source instruction set architecture considered an alternative to Arm. This transformation enabled MIPS to win clients in the autonomous driving sector, including Mobileye.

MIPS's Transition to RISC-V

MIPS chose the RISC-V architecture as its technological foundation, an open-source platform that offers new opportunities for development. RISC-V, as an open-source instruction set architecture, is highly flexible and scalable, providing MIPS with new avenues for growth. In 2021, MIPS announced its plan to design a new generation of processors based on RISC-V and gradually transition to this architecture.

MIPS's RISC-V processors have performed exceptionally well in the fields of autonomous driving and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). For example, its P8700 chip, designed specifically for ADAS, supports a multi-core, low-power architecture and complies with the automotive safety standard ISO26262. Additionally, MIPS continues to license its intellectual property, collaborating with other companies to develop RISC-V-based chips.

Strategic Shift to Robot Chip Design

In 2025, MIPS announced a strategic shift, focusing on the design of AI robot chips in three key areas: perception, decision-making, and control chips. By concentrating on these areas, MIPS aims to provide more efficient and intelligent solutions for robots. This transformation marks MIPS's transition from a pure intellectual property licensor to an independent chip designer, while still licensing its technology to other companies to achieve broader market coverage.

1. Perception Chips: Perception chips act as the "eyes" and "ears" of a robot system, responsible for gathering data from the environment. MIPS plans to leverage its strengths in data processing and low-power design to develop efficient perception chips that support robots' visual, auditory, and tactile functions.

2. Decision-Making Chips: Decision-making chips serve as the "brain" of a robot system, processing sensory data and making decisions. MIPS's multi-core architecture and AI acceleration capabilities give it a significant edge in this area. For example, its P8700 chip has demonstrated strong decision-making capabilities in autonomous driving.

3. Control Chips: Control chips are the "muscles" of a robot system, responsible for executing decisions and controlling mechanical movements. MIPS's low-latency and high-performance architecture enables it to meet the real-time control demands of robots.

Future Outlook

MIPS's transformation coincides with the rapid development of AI and robot technologies. As robots become increasingly widespread in industrial automation, healthcare, and logistics, the demand for high-performance chips continues to grow. Additionally, MIPS has secured several key clients, including autonomous driving company Mobileye, laying a solid foundation for future market expansion.

During its transformation, MIPS continues to expand its market influence through technology licensing. In February 2025, MIPS licensed its core technology to China, a move that not only brought new market opportunities but also further consolidated its position in the embedded processor field.

In summary, MIPS's shift from traditional processor architecture to RISC-V and its focus on robot chip design demonstrate its flexibility in technological innovation and market adaptation. This transformation is not only a necessity for its own development but also a proactive response to market demands. Whether MIPS can stand out in the fierce competition will depend on the effectiveness of its technological capabilities and market strategies.

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Email: info@conevoelec.com