Twilio Introduces New IoT Device Builder Platform with Microvisor

During SIGNAL 2020, Twilio unveiled its Microvisor IoT platform that manages security and connectivity with microcontrollers, giving developers the tools they need to bypass low-level code associated with authentication and management on a cellular network. Earlier this year, Twilio acquired hardware and software company Electric Imp and quickly introduced the Super Sim module, which provides developers with a global network that allows them to deploy and manage their IoT devices from anywhere.

Microvisor is based on the company's Super SIM and makes it easy to combine wireless connectivity and security with microcontrollers that manages the boot process, OTA (Over-the-Air) firmware upgrades, and cloud communications. The platform lets developers upload security updates for their devices over a 10-year lifespan, while Twilio handles the vulnerabilities and patch application backend for those updates.

There is one caveat, though; the Microvisor platform only runs on devices outfitted with Cortex-M or Cortex-A-based processors with Arm's TrustZone hardware isolation feature, meaning its not a service that can be used to upgrade existing devices. That said, Twilio provides secure boot features, secure tunnels to connect to the developer's devices, and remote debugging features. It also enables developers to program in their preferred language without having to allot time learning a different embedded operating system.

Twilio states Microvisor will launch in beta form when the hardware that supports it is released and will announce the platform's pricing at that time. STMicroelectronics is expected to launch microcontrollers that support TrustZone in the coming weeks, so we can probably expect Twilio to provide additional information during that time.