Still do, to a degree.But lately, we’ve been sitting with it. Looking at what we’ve built. Talking to people. Watching how our story has landed out in the wild. And it’s become clear:We need to tell the whole truth now.<h2>Why we told the batteryless story to begin with</h2>Let’s rewind.When we started ONiO, we weren’t trying to be yet another MCU vendor with a clever logo and a new benchmark.Honestly, we were terrified of becoming invisible — just another piece of silicon with slightly better power figures and a PDF nobody reads.So we did what we had to do:We found a story.And it was a good one.Batteryless wasn’t just a gimmick. It was our origin — a design constraint that forced us to think differently. How do you build something that can cold-start from ambient energy alone?That question led us to ONiO.zero.It also gave us something way more rare: an actual identity.In a sea of suit-and-slide-deck semiconductor companies, we stood out. We felt like… people. With a point of view.<h2>We also knew we didn’t want to look like the rest of the industry.</h2>No face, no voice — just PDFs and jargon, occasionally interrupted by a press release or a talking head wandering the exhibition floor, badge swinging, rehearsing the same three phrases to a gimbal.<figure class="image"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/onio/image/upload/v1744202551/onio_off_to_ces_39c8b6901f.jpg" alt="onio_off_to_ces.jpg"></figure>You know the type: coffee in hand, LinkedIn post ready - “Off to CES - let’s gooo 🚀”We weren’t interested in that.We wanted a brand that felt like us: curious, sharp, design-forward. A little weird. Human.So we built something people could connect with. A chip, yes — but also a story, a tone, an unique visual language. Something that didn’t just talk at people, but invited them in.A chip can be beautiful. So can the story that carries it.And batteryless gave us a way to say all of that in one word.<h2>The problem with one story</h2>But here’s the flip side of telling a strong story:Sometimes people only hear that story. And nothing else.We got pegged.As the batteryless guys. The purists.The ones who build fruit-powered demos and do firefly math.And to be honest — we love that part.We still do it.It’s fun. It makes people think. And it’s real.But somewhere along the way, people started assuming that was all we were.And in letting that story lead, we may have oversimplified our own reality.Because the truth is, most real-world applications aren’t black or white.Some are perfect for batteryless. Some need a supercap. Some are better off with a rechargeable cell. Others just want 10x battery life and no drama.We’ve always known that.We just didn’t talk about it enough.<h2>So what’s actually true?</h2>What’s true is this: ONiO.zero is an absurdly low-power, wireless RISC-V microcontroller that can run on harvested energy — from light, RF, whatever.In the right conditions, you really can skip the battery entirely.But that’s not the only way to win.Maybe you want a BLE-connected sensor that lasts five years on a tiny coin cell.Or a smart label that never needs charging.Or a soil monitor with a solar panel and a little backup.Or a keyboard that powers up as you type.That’s the world we’re building for.We didn’t set out to kill the battery.We set out to design like batteries weren’t guaranteed.<h2>What we actually believe</h2>We believe in designing for power independence.Not as a feature. As a mindset.We believe maintenance is the real enemy.That good design feels invisible.That “energy harvesting” shouldn’t sound like science fiction.And that in a few years, asking “how long does it last?” will feel weird — because the answer will just be: as long as you want.<h2>We’re still ONiO</h2>We still love weird builds and scavenged power and the elegance of restraint.We still care about making semiconductors that don’t feel like they came out of a corporate birth canal.But more than anything, we care about telling the truth — and telling it well.So yeah, we’ll still write about the joy of batteryless design.But we’re also going to show what it looks like to build real systems, with real constraints, in the real world.Some of those will have no battery.Some will have a battery that barely gets used.And some will plug in. That’s okay too.The point isn’t purity.The point is possibility.<h2>In the end</h2>We’re not trying to win a sustainability badge.We’re trying to help engineers design smarter systems - ones that last longer, waste less, and just work.If that means no battery, great.If that means fewer batteries in better places, even better.We’re still ONiO.We still build chips that run off the air.We’re just not limiting ourselves to one storyline anymore.Because the story we’re writing now?It’s bigger. And more fun. And way more real.

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Let’s be honest. 

We’ve been riding the “batteryless” wave pretty hard for a while now. 

If you’ve followed ONiO at all over the last couple of years, you’ve seen it: 

No batteries. No maintenance. Save the planet. Coin cells are evil. That whole thing. 

And, yeah — we meant it.

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Batteryless was never the point

Runar Finanger

ONiO is an IoT company specializing in crafting self-powered microcontrollers that run on nanowatts harvested from their surroundings.

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ONiO is a fabless IoT company specialising in batteryless microcontrollers that run on energy harvesting. We are deeply committed to crafting viable clean-energy solutions for IoT devices, breaking them free from the battery. ONiO.zero can use virtually any RF, thermal, solar, piezo signal as a power source. 

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 The power of Zero is undeniable The people behind ONiO Kjetil Meisal Vemund Bakken Runar Finanger Ronan Barzic Related Pages Products Articles The Big Picture The Team 
                            You can only imagine
                            the impact
                        
                        
                            With billions of IoT nodes and sensors set to power our future, reducing dependence on disposable batteries is critical. ONiO.zero-based solutions make IoT smarter and greener by enabling sustainable designs that minimize waste and unlock new possibilities. Together, we can create a future where innovation and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
                         We envisioned an IoT future where power solutions are smarter, more sustainable, and designed to meet the needs of tomorrow. That’s why we created ONiO.zero—a microcontroller that can run 100% on energy from its surroundings. Whether you’re designing battery-free solutions or dramatically extending battery life, ONiO.zero delivers unmatched efficiency with zero compromises.

Zero limitations—A world of potential.  CEO CTO CMO Director IC Design

ONiO is the company behind ONiO.zero - a batteryless and wireless microcontroller. ONiO’s team is home to some of the brightest engineering minds in the Semiconductor world and so much more.

About ONiO

Powered byONiO.zero Batteryless Remote Control Related Pages Love a good read? Tuck right in. Technology Redefined Learn more Related Pages Products News Articles    Informative and backed by solid research - welcome to our growing archive of articles!

Informative articles about energy harvesting and IoT technology -  backed by solid research - welcome to our growing archive of articles!

ONiO articles

Get clued in Your Power Your Choice Smaller Bill Of Material Power Freedom.  Zero maintenance.   IoT Unleashed Power Independence for a connected world. What's next?  Energy Harvesting Everything IoT About ONiO Join us ONiO - Power your way! Get started The lowest power MCU - 22µW/MHz Join our team of innovators Invest in us Learn More  ONiO.zero is an easy to use wireless microcontroller that works with any power source - from ambient energy to batteries. That's what we call power freedom. Instead of playing with pennies - we turned to the dollar. We integrated radio, mcu, memories and PMIC in a single package.  Slash maintenance costs with battery-free operation or extended battery life. Now that's something your customer wants to hear. IoT liberated from power constraints. Whether battery-free or ultra-long battery life, there's no limit to where IoT can go. ONiO.zero is the world’s first wireless microcontroller designed for total power flexibility — from energy harvesting to ultra-low-power battery operation.

ONiO is a fabless IoT company specializing in batteryless microcontrollers that run on ambient energy. ONiO.zero can use virtually any RF, thermal, solar, piezo signal as a power source. Our aim is to unshackle one IoT device at a time from the battery, en route to a 100% battery-free IoT future. Our product offers manufacturers a more minimalist, user-friendly, economical and environmentally sustainable power solution for IoT devices. 

A peaen to power. Your way, your choice. A New Standard in Efficiency.  High Integration.  Smaller BOM. Fits Every Nook. Fits Every Cranny Adaptable Power Solutions Power mastery from the ground up Power Redefined Products Visit the ONiO.zero page Power without limits Related Pages Why we madeONiO.zero Read more aboutONiO.zero Visit the ONiO.zero page Ground up innovation The world's first truly power-agnostic wireless microcontroller. Whether harvesting ambient energy or maximizing battery life.  Our approach to design is rooted in functionality and simplicity. By rethinking every element from the ground up, we’ve created a microcontroller that combines exceptional performance with minimal power consumption. Whether it’s harvesting energy from the environment or working with traditional batteries, ONiO.zero adapts seamlessly to your needs—powering a new era of innovation in IoT. With an ultra-low power consumption of just 22μW/MHz, ONiO.zero sets a new industry benchmark in efficiency. Independently verified through industry-standard benchmarks, it’s the world’s most power-efficient microcontroller—delivering groundbreaking performance with minimal energy use. We shrank power consumption to levels once thought impossible. Because sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come in the smallest packages. By combining radio, MCU, memories, and PMIC into a single package, ONiO.zero dramatically reduces component counts. Simplified designs mean fewer parts, faster production, and up to 80% BOM savings When you go batteryless with ONiO.zero, you remove the need for access points or hatches, unlocking new possibilities for design. Whether integrated into walls, textiles, or compact spaces, ONiO.zero fits wherever you need it to go. ONiO.zero supports diverse use cases, whether by extending battery life or enabling completely battery-free operation. Its flexibility ensures seamless integration across a wide range of designs and power requirements. When you need to set new records in power efficiency, 
off-the-shelf solutions won't cut it. That's why we developed every piece of IP from scratch - from our custom RISC-V core to our adaptive power management system. The result?  The world's most efficient microcontroller that works with any power source.

The world's first general-purpose wireless microcontroller that requires no batteries. ONiO offers in addition a host of turnkey solutions that are ready to roll. Engineered to integrate seamlessly with your design. An unthethered IoT means your imagination’s truly the limit.  

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Open Application Oslo Trondheim ONiO is an exciting IoT company specializing in batteryless microcontrollers that run on ambient energy. We are about to launch our first product, ONiO.zero, and have made massive strides in just a few short years - from having an idea to being on the cusp of launching a wireless MCU that can power itself for years without batteries! So if you want to work with the finest of the best and help create something amazing, keep reading.

   To make this magic happen we are seeking more tech professionals who bring a unique blend of skills, experience, and passion. If you have technical experience, a knack for problem-solving, and an eagerness to continuously learn and evolve, we want to hear from you. At ONiO diversity is not just a buzzword, we believe in the power of diversity and are committed to building a team of talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.To apply, simply attach your resume and respond to a few questions. We want to hear about your unique qualities and why you believe you are the ideal fit for our company!Requirements:Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with team members.Relevant experienceA Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.A passion for innovation and creating cutting-edge technology solutions.We offer you:We like to think it is our technology that will make you consider working for us, but there are other positives aspects of working for ONiO as well:Worklife balance and family-friendlyCompetitive salary and health &amp; pension benefits.Bonus ProgramOptions ProgramLocation Oslo or Trondheim

ONiO is an exciting IoT company specializing in batteryless microcontrollers that run on ambient energy. We are about to launch our first product, ONiO.zero, and have made massive strides in just a few short years - from having an idea to being on the cusp of launching a wireless MCU that can power itself for years without batteries! So if you want to work with the finest of the best and help create something amazing, keep reading.

Open application | ONiO

Digital Designer Oslo Trondheim ONiO builds microcontrollers that run without batteries — but that’s not the point.

Our chips harvest ambient energy — light, heat, RF — and just work. No wires. No recharging rituals. No maintenance loops.

We don’t believe batteries are evil. We just don’t assume they’ll always be there.

Our first chip, ONiO.zero, is a wireless microcontroller built from scratch to run on harvested energy. It cold-starts from under a microwatt. It runs BLE and other radios.   We’re looking for a Digital IC Designer to help us push that platform even further. You’ll work at the intersection of design, power optimization, and system architecture — building chips that sip microwatts and still get the job done.ResponsibilitiesDesign and implement digital logic for ultra-low-power microcontroller subsystems using VerilogDevelop RTL for custom peripherals, bus interfaces (AHB/APB/AXI), and low-power digital blocksCollaborate with analog, mixed-signal, and software teams to shape system architectureWrite and maintain simulation testbenches and coverage metrics for verificationAnalyze timing reports, set up synthesis constraints, and optimize for PPA (power, performance, area)Support silicon bring-up and debug using logic analyzers, JTAG, and firmware toolsDocument design specifications, reviews, and verification plansMaintain reusable IP blocks and continuously improve design flowsContribute to CI pipelines for RTL and test code (version-controlled)Support design closure, tapeout, and post-silicon validation phasesRequirementsSolid experience with Verilog RTL design (5+ years preferred)Strong grasp of digital design fundamentals: FSMs, pipelining, CDC, timing closureExperience with SoC subsystems: timers, UARTs, I2C/SPI, GPIO, DMAFamiliarity with low-power design techniques and microcontroller architecturesProficient with EDA tools: simulators (ModelSim, VCS), synthesis (Design Compiler), STA, lintingProficiency in Python for scripting, test automation, or toolingVersion control experience (Git)Clear communicator, both written and verbalDegree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related fieldBonus skillsUVM or formal verification experienceWorking with RISC-V architecturesExperience with equivalence checking toolsBenefitsCompetitive salary and insurance, health &amp; pension benefitsStock options — skin in the gameThe chance to shape real, cutting-edge productsFast-paced, diverse, design-forward environmentWork-life balance, family-friendly policiesWe know talent doesn’t come in neatly shaped lists. If you don’t tick every box but this sounds like your kind of challenge — apply anyway. We care about capability, curiosity, and attitude over perfection.

Help us build batteryless microcontrollers that sip microwatts and still get the job done. Join ONiO as a Digital IC Designer and push ultra-low-power design forward.

Digital IC Designer — Ultra-Low Power

This move reflects a growing recognition that ambient energy—light, RF, heat, vibration—is abundant but not always predictable. While ONiO.zero, ONiO’s flagship microcontroller, can start from under a microwatt and run on mere slivers of power, for certain use-cases it still needs a way to buffer and deliver energy reliably. That’s where VINATech becomes mission critical.Supercapacitors offer something batteries don’t - the ability to charge and discharge rapidly, last through countless cycles, and endure harsh environments. Their inclusion in the ONiO ecosystem enables longer-lasting, maintenance-free devices across industries—from shelf labels and air quality sensors to industrial tags and smart buttons.Rather than lock developers into a fixed stack, ONiO is curating a flexible ecosystem that enables design freedom while ensuring performance. VINATech’s Hy-Cap line complements ONiO’s flexible hardware stack, giving developers proven, production-grade options for buffering ambient energy. The result: faster prototyping, simpler power design, and hardware that behaves predictably in the wild — like a postage-stamp-sized PCB running a full ambient energy stack: harvester, VINATech supercapacitor, and ONiO.zero.This partnership is one of several ONiO is cultivating to expand its batteryless toolkit. VINATech’s supercapacitors aren’t a lab experiment — they’re already powering millions of commercial devices, including Samsung’s latest solar-powered TV remotes. That kind of field-tested reliability fits ONiO’s practical philosophy: build for power independence, not theoretical perfection. As ambient-powered designs go from demo to deployment — and take advantage of the fact that supercapacitors like VINATech’s are not classified as batteries under EU regulations, these are the kinds of components that make it possible.<h2>About VINATech</h2>VINATech is a South Korean manufacturer of high-performance energy storage components, including hybrid and EDLC supercapacitors. Its Hy-Cap® line is known for rapid charge/discharge, long life, and stability in extreme conditions. VINATech’s products are used across consumer, industrial, and automotive markets, including in Samsung’s solar-powered TV remotes. The company operates globally with production in Korea and Vietnam.For more information, visit<a href="http://www.vinatech.com"> www.vinatech.com</a><h2>About ONiO</h2>ONiO is a Norwegian fabless semiconductor company building wireless microcontrollers that run on ambient energy — including RF, thermal, solar, and kinetic sources. At the core is ONiO.zero: a RISC-V-based SoC that cold-starts from under a microwatt and integrates compute, radio, memory, and power management on a single die. Designed for battery-optional applications, ONiO chips enable maintenance-free, power-independent devices across IoT, sensing, and edge intelligence. Whether running fully batteryless or paired with advanced energy storage, ONiO’s platform gives developers the tools to design systems that last longer, deploy wider, and waste less.More at <a href="https://www.onio.com">onio.com</a>

Norwegian semiconductor company ONiO and South Korea’s VINATech have entered a partnership aimed at redefining the very foundations of sustainable IoT. ONiO, a Norwegian semiconductor innovator, and VINATech, a South Korean leader in energy storage, are joining forces to truly advance batteryless IoT technology. The collaboration adds VINATech’s supercapacitors to ONiO’s modular design stack, bringing new resilience to energy-harvesting electronics as part of a broader shift toward a solid-state power loop architecture.

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ONiO + Vinatech - Supercap powered Green IoT

Remote Control Energy sources Right as rain, safe as houses A Zero-compromise user experience Ultra-low power requirement All the frills and thrills - IR diode support Future proof flexibility Pulse density modulation interface (PDM) Capacitive touch Button key scanner Accelerometer Reference Design Want to talk? Watch Video Introduction Visit the ONiO.zero page Energy Harvesting Reliability User Interfaces Contact us for more information Watch Video The remote as we know it is a dinosaur - ancient technology! Today, with energy harvesting, the pain of charging and replacing batteries is history! Our surroundings are rife with potentially usable energy that we can harness and store. Energy from WiFI AP, mobile phones and other dedicated terrestrial RF energy sources supplies enough power for the remote to operate. At the heart of our smart remote solution is ONiO.zero - a batteryless wonderchip that runs on ambient energy! The best part, fewer batteries are thrown away in landfills. What's more - super-tiny photovoltaic cells could be used in tandem to make sure you never run out - Given typical light conditions, you could power your remote for eternity - no replacements, no nothing! RF fields between 650MHz and 2.4GHz.Any source between 350mV and 4V that produce 5-10μA). E.g. PV/Solar, thermal and motion.  ONiO.zero implements a low power PDM interface for interfacing low power microphones. The supported sampling speeds are 300kHz to 12MHz with support for fractional bitrate. The capacitive touch engine does not require any internal oscillator to run and is fully self-clocked. This means that it’s extremely low power and can asynchronously wake the rest of the system up. True wake on touch! Supports 8 rows and 8 columns making for a total of 64 buttons. Runs on an ultra low-power oscillator. Any keypress wakes up the CPU. FIFO (First in First out) of last 8 key presses. A low power SPI and two-wire interface are implemented for efficient interfacing with an accelerometer. The data from the accelerometer can be classified by ONiO.zero into gestures. Drained batteries and interruptions are best left in the past! With just a little ingenuity, we can design batteryless solutions that, well, just make more sense! Energy has to be present when the remote is in use. By utilising both RF and PV cell harvesting the remote will constantly be charging - even when its stuck between your sofa cushions. We took a novel new approach to low-power. We designed for nano-watt operation - not milli- or microwatts from day one. This has resulted in a framework that allows applications using a battery today - remove them tomorrow. We have to acknowledge that most remote controls today still utilise infrared communication. That's why we added a dedicated hardware module for carrier generation and modulation of IR diodes. A modern remote control is meant to be user-friendly and flexible. ONiO.zero supports multiple user interfaces - so you’re never caught off guard - whatever your device or need, we’ve got you covered.

A real smart remote solution runs on ONiO.zero - a batteryless wonderchip that feeds on ambient energy! Best part, no more annoying broken battery lids!

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