Artificial Intelligence Meets Embedded Development with Microchip’s MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant
Microchip Technology (MCHP) has launched the MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant, a free Microsoft VS Code extension designed to enhance software development efficiency. The tool, based on the Continue open-source AI code assistant, features Microchip's AI chatbot for real-time support and includes advanced autocomplete capabilities, error detection, and integrated access to Microchip documentation.
The assistant's unique sidebar chat feature can deliver block diagrams within the VS Code interface, distinguishing it from other code assistants. While the basic version is free, some advanced features require a subscription license. The company will showcase the tool at Embedded World (March 11-13, 2025).
Microchip Technology (MCHP) ha lanciato il MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant, un'estensione gratuita per Microsoft VS Code progettata per migliorare l'efficienza nello sviluppo software. Lo strumento, basato sul assistente di codice AI open-source Continue, presenta il chatbot AI di Microchip per supporto in tempo reale e include capacità avanzate di completamento automatico, rilevamento errori e accesso integrato alla documentazione Microchip.
La caratteristica unica della chat laterale dell'assistente può fornire diagrammi a blocchi all'interno dell'interfaccia di VS Code, distinguendolo da altri assistenti di codice. Sebbene la versione base sia gratuita, alcune funzionalità avanzate richiedono una licenza in abbonamento. L'azienda presenterà lo strumento a Embedded World (11-13 marzo 2025).
Microchip Technology (MCHP) ha lanzado el MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant, una extensión gratuita de Microsoft VS Code diseñada para mejorar la eficiencia en el desarrollo de software. La herramienta, basada en el asistente de código AI de código abierto Continue, cuenta con el chatbot de AI de Microchip para soporte en tiempo real e incluye capacidades avanzadas de autocompletado, detección de errores y acceso integrado a la documentación de Microchip.
La característica única de chat en la barra lateral del asistente puede entregar diagramas de bloques dentro de la interfaz de VS Code, diferenciándolo de otros asistentes de código. Aunque la versión básica es gratuita, algunas funciones avanzadas requieren una licencia de suscripción. La empresa presentará la herramienta en Embedded World (11-13 de marzo de 2025).
마이크로칩 테크놀로지 (MCHP)는 소프트웨어 개발 효율성을 높이기 위해 설계된 무료 Microsoft VS Code 확장 프로그램인 MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant를 출시했습니다. 이 도구는 Continue 오픈 소스 AI 코드 어시스턴트를 기반으로 하며, 마이크로칩의 AI 챗봇을 통해 실시간 지원을 제공하고 고급 자동 완성 기능, 오류 감지 및 마이크로칩 문서에 대한 통합 액세스를 포함합니다.
어시스턴트의 독특한 사이드바 채팅 기능은 VS Code 인터페이스 내에서 블록 다이어그램을 제공할 수 있어 다른 코드 어시스턴트와 차별화됩니다. 기본 버전은 무료이지만 일부 고급 기능은 구독 라이센스가 필요합니다. 회사는 Embedded World (2025년 3월 11-13일)에서 이 도구를 선보일 예정입니다.
Microchip Technology (MCHP) a lancé le MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant, une extension gratuite pour Microsoft VS Code conçue pour améliorer l'efficacité du développement logiciel. Cet outil, basé sur l'assistant de code AI open-source Continue, dispose du chatbot AI de Microchip pour un support en temps réel et comprend des fonctionnalités avancées de saisie semi-automatique, de détection d'erreurs et d'accès intégré à la documentation de Microchip.
La fonctionnalité unique de chat dans la barre latérale de l'assistant peut fournir des diagrammes de blocs au sein de l'interface de VS Code, le distinguant des autres assistants de code. Bien que la version de base soit gratuite, certaines fonctionnalités avancées nécessitent une licence d'abonnement. L'entreprise présentera l'outil lors de Embedded World (11-13 mars 2025).
Microchip Technology (MCHP) hat den MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant gestartet, eine kostenlose Microsoft VS Code-Erweiterung, die entwickelt wurde, um die Effizienz der Softwareentwicklung zu verbessern. Das Tool, das auf dem Open-Source-AI-Code-Assistenten Continue basiert, verfügt über den AI-Chatbot von Microchip für Echtzeit-Support und umfasst erweiterte Autocomplete-Funktionen, Fehlererkennung und integrierten Zugriff auf die Microchip-Dokumentation.
Das einzigartige Sidebar-Chat-Feature des Assistenten kann Blockdiagramme innerhalb der VS Code-Oberfläche bereitstellen, was ihn von anderen Code-Assistenten unterscheidet. Während die Basisversion kostenlos ist, erfordern einige erweiterte Funktionen eine Abonnementlizenz. Das Unternehmen wird das Tool auf der Embedded World (11.-13. März 2025) präsentieren.
- Launch of innovative AI-powered development tool that could enhance operational efficiency
- Free basic version availability with potential subscription revenue from advanced features
- Integration with Microsoft VS Code expands market reach
- None.
Insights
Microchip's introduction of the MPLAB AI Coding Assistant marks a strategic evolution in the embedded development tools landscape, with several key implications for the company's market position and future growth trajectory.
The integration of AI-powered coding assistance directly into the popular VS Code environment, leveraging Continue's established AI engine, represents a significant competitive advantage. By offering free basic features with premium subscription options, Microchip is implementing a strategic freemium model that could drive recurring revenue while expanding their developer ecosystem.
A particularly noteworthy differentiator is the tool's ability to generate block diagrams within VS Code—a feature absent in most competing solutions. This capability, combined with integrated access to Microchip-specific documentation, creates a more seamless development experience that could significantly reduce development cycles and strengthen customer lock-in to Microchip's ecosystem.
The timing of this release aligns with broader industry trends toward AI-assisted development, positioning Microchip at the forefront of this transformation in embedded systems development. This tool could potentially reduce development costs for customers by:
- Accelerating code writing and debugging processes
- Minimizing documentation search time through integrated resources
- Reducing errors through AI-powered code suggestions and real-time assistance
From a strategic perspective, this launch strengthens Microchip's development ecosystem, potentially leading to increased adoption of their microcontrollers and microprocessors. The continuous updates to the AI chatbot suggest an ongoing investment in improving the tool's capabilities, which could create a sustainable competitive advantage in the development tools space.
AI-powered tool streamlines software development for greater efficiency and accuracy
CHANDLER, Ariz., Feb. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microchip Technology (Nasdaq: MCHP) is leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist software developers and embedded engineers in writing and debugging code with the launch of its MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant. A Microsoft® Visual Studio® Code (VS Code®) extension, the free tool is based on Continue—the market’s leading open-source AI code assistant—and comes preconfigured with Microchip’s AI chatbot for real-time support.
The Microchip chatbot enables a chat functionality which allows developers to evaluate and iterate on code directly from the sidebar. This interactive support enhances the coding experience by providing highly customized, relevant real-time assistance and insights on Microchip-specific products with the chatbot being updated on a continuous basis. Additional features include advanced autocomplete for easier coding, an edit feature and error detection for efficient code modifications within the current file and integrated access to searchable Microchip documentation within the IDE.
“The MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant represents a significant leap forward in software development and will transform how engineers work with Microchip products,” said Rodger Richey, vice president of development systems and academic programs at Microchip. “We’re harnessing the power of AI to provide interactive, real-time support that helps developers create better software, more quickly and with less hassle.”
Unlike most other code assistants on the market, MPLAB AI Coding Assistant’s sidebar chat feature can deliver block diagrams directly within the VS Code interface rather than just text responses. This capability, combined with easy access to a library of documentation on Microchip microcontrollers and microprocessors streamlines the coding process and helps enhance accuracy.
Visit the website to learn more about Microchip’s wide range of development tools.
Pricing and Availability
The MPLAB AI Coding Assistant is available for free; some advanced features may require a subscription license. For additional information contact a Microchip sales representative, authorized worldwide distributor or visit Microchip’s Purchasing and Client Services website, www.microchipdirect.com. To learn more, a Microchip development systems representative will be onsite during Embedded World (March 11-13, 2025) to answer questions and discuss tool details.
Resources
High-res images available through Flickr or editorial contact (feel free to publish):
- Application image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/54284596862/sizes/l/
About Microchip Technology:
Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control and processing solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve over 100,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.
Note: The Microchip name and logo, the Microchip logo and MPLAB are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.
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