Morse Micro Ushers in ‘IoT 2.0’ with Mass Production of Wi-Fi HaLow and $193M+ Funding
The Internet of Things (IoT) is entering a new era, driven by the need for longer-range, lower-power, and more secure connectivity. Leading the charge is Morse Micro, an Australian semiconductor innovator, which has announced the prosperous completion of a Series C funding round exceeding $193 million and the commencement of mass production for its groundbreaking Wi-Fi HaLow technology. This milestone positions Morse Micro as a pivotal player in the evolution of IoT,moving beyond basic connectivity to a future of high-throughput,scalable solutions - what the company terms “IoT 2.0.”
Understanding Wi-Fi HaLow: A Game Changer for IoT
For years, IoT deployments have faced limitations with existing wireless technologies.Short range,high power consumption,and susceptibility to interference have hindered widespread adoption,notably in challenging environments.Wi-Fi HaLow, based on the IEEE 802.11ah standard and officially recognized as wi-Fi certified HaLow, addresses these challenges head-on.
Unlike conventional Wi-Fi which operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, Wi-Fi HaLow utilizes spectrum below 1 ghz. This lower frequency offers several key advantages:
* Extended Range: Signals travel further, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure.
* Improved Penetration: Better ability to penetrate walls and obstacles, crucial for indoor and industrial applications.
* Lower Power Consumption: Substantially extends battery life for sensor networks and wearables.
* Enhanced device Density: Supports a greater number of connected devices within a given area.
* Robust security: Built upon the established security protocols of Wi-Fi.
* Reduced Latency: Minimizes delays for real-time applications.
* Increased Throughput: Delivers sufficient bandwidth for demanding IoT scenarios.
Morse Micro: From Innovation to Mass Production
Morse Micro isn’t just developing Wi-fi HaLow technology; they are delivering a complete ecosystem. The company now offers a complete suite of products, including:
* System on a Chip (SoC): The core intelligence driving Wi-Fi HaLow connectivity. Their second-generation MM8108 SoC is now in mass production, boasting “unparalleled” data throughput at range.
* Modules: Pre-certified,ready-to-integrate modules simplifying development and reducing time-to-market.
* Evaluation Kits: Tools for developers to quickly prototype and test Wi-Fi HaLow applications.
This end-to-end approach, coupled with their recent funding, allows Morse micro to accelerate the adoption of wi-Fi HaLow across a diverse range of industries.
A Powerful Investment Backing a Vision
The Series C funding round was led by MegaChips, a leading Japanese semiconductor company, with meaningful participation from the Australian government’s National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC), alongside prominent venture capital firms like Blackbird, Main Sequence, Uniseed, Startmate, and institutional investors including Hostplus, NGS and UniSuper. The inclusion of Ray Stata and Malcolm and Lucy Turnbull further underscores the confidence in Morse Micro’s potential.
This investment isn’t simply about financial backing; it’s a strategic alignment with key players who recognize the transformative power of Wi-Fi HaLow. David gall, CEO of NRFC, highlighted the significance of this investment for Australia, stating, ”Morse Micro is Australia’s largest semiconductor manufacturer and a home-grown Australian success story…we are proud to be investing in an Australian company that is once again enabling next-generation Wi-Fi connectivity for the rest of the world.”
Driving ’IoT 2.0′ and Australian Manufacturing
Morse Micro’s CEO and co-founder, Michael De Nil, emphasizes the company’s ambition: “The future of IoT depends on connectivity that is long-range, power-efficient, secure and delivers on throughput, and that’s exactly where we’re leading.” The new capital will fuel:
* International Expansion: Bringing Wi-Fi HaLow solutions to global markets.
* Production Scaling: Meeting the growing demand for their chips and modules.
* Ecosystem Development: Fostering a thriving community of developers and partners.
Beyond the
