Semiconductor IP supplier ARM has worked with STMicroelectronics to bring the company into its "ARM mbed Project". This action gives developers using ST's STM32 microcontroller range (which happen to be based on the ARM Cortex-M processor series) free access to the mbed software, development tools, and online collaboration platform.
In both firms' quests for what they call "intelligent electronics products" inside the Internet of Things (IoT), mbed offers free tools and "fundamental open-source hardware" and software building blocks for the rapid development of innovative ARM-based devices.
The mbed project also enables the integration of connectivity, sensor, and cloud service software components and the tools.
"The mbed project is bringing together leading technology companies to create a step change in productivity for embedded device development," said Simon Ford, director, IoT platforms, ARM. "We have learned from the web and smartphone revolutions that by building an open-source software platform with reusable software components and free development and collaboration tools, we can enable the creation of IoT and smart devices on a previously unimagined scale."
"By joining the mbed project, ST is enabling developers across diverse markets to quickly prototype and create new products based on leading-edge STM32 microcontrollers," said Daniel Colonna of ST.