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Two semiconductor engineers from Bengaluru have developed an affordable AI-enabled personal computer, 'KEO', using open-source RISC-V architecture, in an effort to make computing and edge AI technology more accessible.
The Made-in-Karnataka device has been developed as an alternative to systems based on ARM and x86 architectures, which are widely used across personal computers and other computing devices. The engineers said their objective was to develop a processor without relying on the licensing and royalty structures associated with the two dominant chip architectures. For edge AI processing requirements, the duo opted for RISC-V, an open-standard instruction set architecture that allows developers to design processors without the licensing model associated with proprietary architectures. The project also drew the attention of Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge, who, according to the developers, became involved in refining the device's design and form factor. The device has been built using open-source platforms across its computing ecosystem. It uses a RISC-V-based processor, runs on Linux Ubuntu and features LibreOffice as its productivity suite. According to the developers, the device underwent testing by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and IIIT, where it successfully completed the required tests. The engineers said KEO has been designed particularly with affordable access to computing and AI capabilities in mind, including for students and children in rural and economically disadvantaged communities. The production cost of the device has been kept below Rs 18,999, according to the developers, despite an increase in global RAM prices. The initiative has also received support for deployment in government schools. According to the developers, an NGO has purchased more than 2,000 devices for distribution to government schools across Karnataka over the past year. The project aims to demonstrate how open-source hardware and software can be leveraged to reduce the cost of computing devices and expand access to AI-enabled technology. The developers said KEO represents an effort to build an indigenous and affordable computing ecosystem while reducing dependence on proprietary hardware and software platforms. (ANI)
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