The first 32-bit bendy processor can run when wrapped around a straw. But boy, is it slow.

While flexible, bendy screens have been shown for some time (with a few drawbacks to boot), the majority of components in our devices are still as rigid as a board. This RISC V processor bucks the trend by being as flexible as a professional yoga instructor, even when it's running.

Pragmatic Semiconductor published a blog to announce the hyper-flexible microprocessor, which they claim is the "world's 1st 32-bit microprocessor with a flexible technology" (via Tom's Hardware). It's a bit of a mouthful--might I suggest something catchier, like "The World's First 32-bit Bendy Boi"? Anyways, let's move on.

The Flex-RV chip is not your typical silicon-based one. According to the paper that accompanies it, it was fabricated using indium gallium zirconium oxide thin-film transistors, on a polyimide flexible substrate, in order to create such a versatile computational device. I wouldn't be surprised if you crossed your eyes while reading this sentence. Pragmatic Semiconductor, however, has provided a video demonstration that makes the benefits of using this technology abundantly clear.

The chip is shown to be rolled up, then unfolded on what appears to be a clear plastic spout while it runs without issue. It's like watching a CPU in a medieval rack. While the flexibility is impressive, it seems that our demonstrator is treating it with too much care. I'm willing bet that the prototype is still fragile, but it's still an impressive result.

This is a RISC V processor, which means that it's based upon an open standard instructions set architecture. If you were expecting great performance, then you're going to be disappointed. The test sample is equipped with 12,600 logic gate and a maximum clock rate of 60 kHz.

It's a reference of 0.06 MHz or 0.0006 GHz. However, it has an onboard ML Accelerator, which means that it is technically machine-learning-capable. It won't be breaking any performance records, but that's not the point.

The primary goal is to create a chip under $1 that would be ideal for wearables and single-use medical equipment with minimal computing requirements. It also consumes less than 6mW of power, making it ideal for ultra-low-power applications. Emre Ozer is Pragmatic's Senior Researcher and Director of Processor Development.

"This is a significant step forward in flexible semiconductor technologies. The availability of a non-silicon, open-standard 32-bit microprocessor is expected to democratise computing and unlock emerging applications, while also allowing for sub-dollar computing.

"By enabling low-cost, scalable compute in a flexible format factor, in combination with the rapid turn-around and low non-recurring costs associated with our FlexIC Foundry we are really ushering a step-change into the art of what is possible for flexible electronics systems."

It looks like a truly powerful bendy chip is still a ways off, so you can put your dreams of a gaming computer that rolls up like newspaper on hold. It's a great party trick and could be the first step towards more flexible electronic devices.