ARM microchips are used by millions of people to connect everyday devices and appliances over the internet. Arm’s designs lie at the heart of almost every smartphone sold today. Many cheaper phones use its off-the-shelf chips but for more sophisticated and expensive handsets, chipmakers often customise Arm’s technology to produce more distinctive features. With Intel backing out of the mobile processor market earlier this year to focus on servers, modems and the “internet of things”, there are few viable alternatives to Arm.
Television
Many
modern televisions enable users to watch programmes and films through apps such
as Netflix, which are powered by ARM-based processors. The firm’s technology is
also frequently used in remote controls and set-top boxes.
Smartphones
and tablets
ARM
technology helps power both smartphones and iPads. E-readers, such as Kindles,
and digital cameras also use the products.
Home
‘smart’ systems
Smart
household appliances often use ARM-based chips to give homeowners greater
control over their functions – and costs. This can include internet-connected
thermostats, allowing users to control their heating via their smartphone,
fridges that alert users when they have run out of groceries, and electricity
metres that can help save money on energy bills.
Wearable
gadgets
Fitness
trackers and smart watches are becoming increasingly popular with consumers.
These gadgets have relied on ARM technology for years.
Internal
car systems
ARM-based
chips are frequently used in cars to show drivers maps, offer voice recognition
and to control music. They are also being used in prototypes for self-driving
cars to power systems that trigger automatic electronic braking, for example.
The technology could also be used in smart roads warning drivers about spots of
black ice ahead.
Drones
Drones
are becoming increasingly popular, be it families flying them in the park or
photographers capturing aerial shots. They rely on tiny computers called
microcontrollers and ARM estimates that a quarter of the chips made last year
used its technology.
Energy
efficient cities
Street
lamps that dim themselves and parking meters that detect when spaces are empty
are examples of sensors being used by cities to cut costs and help inhabitants.
ARM believes this sector holds great potential for its business.
