Maix

Maix is a family of microcontrollers developed by Sipeed, a Chinese technology company. These microcontrollers are designed to run machine learning models directly on the edge, meaning they can process data and make decisions without needing to send information to a cloud server. This makes them suitable for a variety of applications such as artificial intelligence at the edge, computer vision, and embedded systems.

The Maix ecosystem primarily centers around the Kendryte K210 chip, which features a dual-core 64-bit RISC-V processor along with a dedicated neural network (KPU) accelerator. This KPU is specifically designed to speed up the inference of deep learning models, making it efficient for tasks like object detection and image recognition. Maix boards come in various forms, including development boards like the Maix Bit and Maix Nano, which offer different form factors and peripheral options.

Software development for Maix typically involves using the MaixPy firmware, a MicroPython port tailored for the K210. This allows developers to write Python code for their AI applications. Alternatively, C/C++ development is also supported, often utilizing the Kendryte official SDK. The ability to run machine learning models on low-power, cost-effective hardware has positioned Maix as a popular choice for hobbyists, researchers, and developers exploring edge AI solutions.