Intel has killed off its open-source RISC-V dev environment


Intel appears to have quietly killed off its open source RISC-V developer environment, Pathfinder.
The news may come as a shock to many SoC architects, software developers, and product research teams, primarily because Pathfinder was only announced in August 2022, however to others, it may have been an expected move.
The company reported a catastrophic end to 2022, with its Q4 alone accounting for $661 million in losses, and has pulled the plug on a number of its other operations. Besides this, 544 of its California-based workers are at risk of redundancy, with the potential for more layoffs globally as the company gears up to what it calls a “meaningful number” of job cuts.
Intel Pathfinder
The 2022 press release unveiling Pathfinder details the number of RISC-V-focused initiatives that have rolled out over the years, indicating Intel’s commitment, however just months later, users began to report that it had been cut.
Intel has since updated its website (opens in new tab) with a statement that reads:
“We regret to inform you that Intel is discontinuing the Intel Pathfinder for RISC-V program effective immediately.”
The web page directs users to “promptly transition” to alternative RISC-V software tools, highlighting that bug fixes have also been stopped.
The program was designed to help its users develop RISC-V chips using industry-standard toolchains and as such had been supported by a number of RISC-V companies. It was split into a Professional Edition, and a more stripped back Starter Edition for hobbyists looking to give it a go.
Vijay Krishnan remained general manager for RISC-V ventures at the company for over a year and a half until it shut its doors this month, pushing him into a new role as general manager for new initiatives, indicating that Intel is turning its back on its RISC-V operations for now.
TechRadar Pro has asked Intel to confirm its decision to stop the Pathfinder program and whether it plans to continue investing in RISC-V in the future.
Audio player loading… Intel appears to have quietly killed off its open source RISC-V developer environment, Pathfinder. The news may come as a shock to many SoC architects, software developers, and product research teams, primarily because Pathfinder was only announced in August 2022, however to others, it may have been…
Recent Posts
- Hunting for early Prime Day deals? Beware, scammers have set up thousands of fake Amazon sites – here’s what to look out for
- Android 16’s answer to iOS Live Activities is coming soon – here are the apps it’ll support, including Google Maps
- Laid-off workers should use AI to manage their emotions, says Xbox exec
- Hundreds of Android apps band together in massive scam campaign targeting millions – here’s what we know
- GM’s Cruise Cars Are Back on the Road in Three US States—But Not for Ride-Hailing
Archives
- July 2025
- June 2025
- May 2025
- April 2025
- March 2025
- February 2025
- January 2025
- December 2024
- November 2024
- October 2024
- September 2024
- August 2024
- July 2024
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021