What’s new in the microcontroller world? If you’re interested in high-performance embedded hardware, edge computing and AI acceleration, the ESP32-P4 is worth a closer look. In this recent Elektor webinar, Espressif introduces their latest RISC-V-based processor, designed to handle advanced graphics, video processing, and AI inference — all without requiring external accelerators.

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The ESP32-P4 features a dual-core RISC-V CPU running at 400 MHz, a dedicated low-power core, and up to 32MB of PSRAM, making it ideal for AI and high-performance embedded applications. The hardware includes an H.264 video encoder, MIPI interfaces for cameras and displays, and a Pixel Processing Accelerator for efficient graphics rendering. Security is another key focus, with hardware encryption, secure boot, and memory protection built in. For developers, ESP-IDF offers a stable software environment, and Espressif has also introduced ESP-Brasia for UI development and ESDL for AI inference, supporting ONNX model conversion.

With the ESP32-P4, Espressif has taken a turn that may come as a surprise given its history as a specialist in microcontrollers with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Indeed, the ESP32-P4 doesn’t have any built-in wireless connectivity, and this is on purpose. For those who still want their ESP32-P4 wirelessly connected, a few solutions are shown in the video, including ESP-AT, ESP-Hosted, and ESP-XCOM. You’ll also discover how real-time AI processing can be done, detecting people in a video stream using on-device inference. If you work with IoT, industrial automation, or HMI applications, this session provides valuable insights into how the ESP32-P4 handles complex processing tasks. Watch the video below:
 

More About the ESP32-P4 and Microcontrollers
Want to learn more about the ESP32-P4, microcontrollers, sensors, embedded systems, or electronics in general? Check out all the educational videos and tap into the knowledge of experts on our Elektor YouTube channel and our Elektor Industry YouTube channel. Subscribe to Elektor's weekly newsletter to receive a regular flow of expert tech knowledge and insights.

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