Bitmerse Launched Romu Development Board
The compact new microcontroller board features a Raspberry Pi RP2354A chip and supports MicroPython.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Bitmerse has officially released the Romu development board on the crowdfunding platform Crowd Supply. The small-scale device utilizes the Raspberry Pi RP2354A microcontroller to offer dual-core processing capabilities for developers.
Why it matters
This release provides a compact, versatile tool for hobbyists and engineers looking to integrate powerful dual-core processing into small-scale electronics projects. The inclusion of RISC-V and Arm cores offers users flexibility in their programming and hardware designs.
The Romu board operates at speeds up to 150 MHz and includes 520 KB of on-chip SRAM alongside 2 MB of flash memory. The hardware measures only 15.5 by 12 mm and connects directly to a USB Type-A port.
The players
Bitmerse
Bitmerse is the company responsible for designing and bringing the Romu development board to market.
Elecrow
Elecrow is a manufacturing partner that handled the production and testing of the Romu board batch.
The details
The board leverages the RP2354A chip, which houses both Arm Cortex-M33 and Hazard3 RISC-V cores. Bitmerse collaborated with Elecrow for manufacturing and testing, and the project intends to provide open access to design files on GitHub.
Timeline
The campaign was active as of October 14, 2026.
The Tech Race
This launch reflects the ongoing industry shift toward ultra-compact development hardware capable of supporting multi-architecture processing. By utilizing the Raspberry Pi RP2354A, Bitmerse positions the Romu as a competitive entry in the growing ecosystem of accessible, high-performance microcontroller boards.
Developers can now access a versatile dual-core platform that simplifies power and communication through an integrated USB Type-A connector. While the basic board costs $40, users requiring advanced testing capabilities can opt for a $65 package that includes a dedicated debugging jig.
The takeaway
The Romu board offers a highly portable solution for those needing both RISC-V and Arm-based processing power. Developers should prepare to monitor GitHub for upcoming schematic releases to ensure they have the necessary design files for their projects.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving landscape of chip hardware, visit Semiconductors.
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Would you use a coin-sized development board for your own custom macro shortcuts or security keys?
