IoT-specific, differentiated from existing MCUs with ultra-low power, low cost, and high performance
ST aims to prioritize the future of IoT over immediate profits through free MCU training.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is gaining attention as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) evolves, with initiatives like smart factories and smart cities gaining traction. The IIoT aims to improve industrial efficiency by connecting machines, analytics, and workers in the field, generating significant interest among domestic and international companies. To achieve this, IoT-specific MCUs, featuring high performance, ultra-low power, and low cost, are essential.

Mirae Asset Daewoo Research said, "The global MCU chip market was worth $16.8 billion in 2015 and is expected to record an average annual growth rate of 4.2% through 2019," adding that not only will overall demand for MCUs increase, but leading companies such as ST Microelectronics (hereafter ST), which manufactures MCUs suitable for IoT devices, are expected to continue to grow in the market.

Representative IoT-specific MCUs include ST's STM32, which boasts high performance, ultra-low power, and low cost, enabling efficient work and cost savings. Compared to existing MCUs, which had limited processing capabilities and relatively high costs, this represents a significant improvement both economically and technologically.



ST ranks fifth in the global MCU market and holds a high domestic market share. To meet the growing needs of developers and customers due to the growth of the IIoT, ST has been offering free MCU training and various solutions for IoT developers for three years. ST's training, which reflects current trends, is always fully booked, demonstrating the needs of many developers. ST Vice President Choi Kyung-hwa stated, "We will continue to provide MCU training and solution programs, which are fundamental components of wearables and IoT, to participants free of charge." This move goes beyond simple corporate services and appears to be a step toward driving growth in the IoT development ecosystem.

The following is a Q&A with Kyung-Hwa Choi, Vice President of ST Microelectronics.

Q. Why did you plan ST training?
A. It's been about 10 years since the STM32 was released based on the Arm Cortex-M platform. We've been continuously developing product lines, tools, and solutions to meet customer needs, but we felt it was important to create a space where customers could experience these products and solutions firsthand, which is why we've planned this initiative.

Q. Is the training specifically geared towards IoT developers?
A. IoT encompasses a wide range of fields. ST's training covers not only techniques for utilizing the MCUs fundamental to IoT, but also external expansion technologies such as connectivity.

Q. What are the benefits of building IoT devices through ST training?
A. I think it's because we're leveraging MCUs, which are the foundation for all industries, so we can experience a variety of solutions and receive IoT basics and expansion features.

Q. This year's training has ended. Are you planning to continue it next year?
A. Yes. Next year, we plan to conduct two years of training, reflecting customer requests and preparing a variety of items to ensure both new and existing customers can participate.