Featuring Kiwi Pi 5B – A High-Performance Rockchip RK3588 SBC for Modern Applications
The Kiwi Pi 5B from iTayga Shenzhen Tianyue Zhichuang Technology Co., Ltd. is an advanced single-board computer (SBC) built around the Rockchip RK3588 SoC, offering exceptional performance, AI capability, and multimedia features suitable for both hobbyists and industry use cases. In this detailed overview, we’ll explore the broader ecosystem of Rockchip RK3588 boards in 2026, compare popular options, and help you understand which choice may be right for your projects – from edge computing and robotics to embedded AI and media servers.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Rockchip RK3588
The Rockchip RK3588 is an 8-core Arm SoC designed for high-performance embedded computing. It integrates:
- 4× Cortex-A76 performance cores and 4× Cortex-A55 efficiency cores
- ARM Mali-G610 GPU for modern graphics and multimedia
- A dedicated 6 TOPS NPU for AI acceleration
- Comprehensive video codecs and display support
- Rich connectivity including PCIe, USB3, Ethernet, and multi-camera interfaces
Manufactured on an 8 nm process node, the RK3588 delivers strong compute, graphics, and AI performance while maintaining power efficiency – making it one of the most sought-after SoCs for SBCs, industrial edge systems, and AIoT appliances in 2026.
There’s also a closely-related variant, the Rockchip RK3588S, which features a slightly more cost-optimized I/O configuration for compact SBC boards like the Kiwi Pi 5 and similar competitors.
Learn more about Rockchips products:
- RK3588 vs RK3588S: In-Depth Technical Comparison
- RK3688 vs RK3668: Rockchip’s Next-Generation Chips
- RK3566 vs RK3568: Comparison Guide
Overview of Popular RK3588 SBCs in 2026
In 2026, the ecosystem of Rockchip RK3588 boards has expanded significantly. While numerous vendors and hobbyist projects leverage the RK3588 family, a few key models consistently stand out for their balance of features, performance, and community adoption:
- Kiwi Pi 5B – Feature-rich SBC from Kiwi Pi
- Kiwi Pi 5 Pro / Ultra – Enhanced models with extended capabilities
- Orange Pi 5 Plus / Pro – Widely-adopted community SBCs
- Radxa Rock 5B – Modular design with flexible expansion
- Other Industrial RK3588 SBCs – Custom or OEM boards for edge AI, industrial, or embedded applications
Comparison Table: Rockchip RK3588 SBCs (2026)
Note: RAM/storage options vary by configuration and manufacturer.
Why Choose RK3588 for SBCs in 2026
The Rockchip RK3588 series continues to be a leading choice for single-board computers in 2026, and for good reasons:
- With four high-performance Cortex-A76 cores coupled with four energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores, RK3588 provides balanced performance for general computing tasks, AI workloads, and multimedia processing.
- The onboard 6 TOPS NPU supports AI inference tasks such as vision processing, speech recognition, and lightweight ML models directly on edge devices – without requiring an external accelerator.
- RK3588 boards commonly support 8K video decoding at 60 fps, multiple displays, and broad codec formats, making them ideal for media players, digital signage, and sophisticated UI applications.
- From PCIe 3.0 to USB3, Gigabit/Ethernet, and camera interfaces like MIPI-CSI, RK3588 enables diverse I/O and expansion capabilities suitable for embedded projects and industrial applications.
- Most RK3588 SBCs support Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Debian), Android variants, and a range of open-source tools – ensuring developers can experiment and deploy with familiar environments.
Use Cases and Performance Expectations
Thanks to the integrated NPU, RK3588 boards can run on-device AI inference tasks – for object detection, voice recognition, and lightweight neural networks – without the overhead of cloud compute. This makes them strong candidates for robotics, industrial vision systems, and smart cameras.
Whether playing back high-resolution content or driving multiple screens, RK3588’s video engines and GPU enable fluid 8K media experiences – ideal for digital signage, kiosks, and media hubs.
Hobbyists and professionals alike deploy RK3588 boards for self-hosted services (e.g., media servers like Jellyfin), containers, or as lightweight edge servers – thanks to efficient performance per watt.
With robust connectivity and extended I/O options, RK3588 boards find homes in robotics controllers, automation gateways, and custom embedded solutions where space and power are limited.
How Our Company Can Help with RK3588 Board Solutions
Whether you’re evaluating SBCs for prototyping, production, or custom embedded solutions, our company offers full support for Rockchip RK3588-based board design and manufacturing:
- Custom SBC development and hardware design
- Firmware and OS porting (Linux, Android, custom builds)
- AI acceleration integration and model deployment
- Hardware + AI optimization for edge, industrial, and IoT applications
We can help you leverage the power of RK3588 to build highly tailored single-board computing solutions for your exact use case.
Conclusion
In 2025, Rockchip RK3588 boards remain a compelling choice for developers seeking a blend of performance, AI capability, and multimedia prowess in a compact form factor. From the Kiwi Pi 5B to more advanced models like Kiwi Pi 5 Pro/Ultra and competitive offerings from Orange Pi and Radxa, these SBCs provide powerful platforms for embedded computing, AI edge projects, media servers, and more.
The ecosystem’s growth highlights how RK3588 continues to bridge the gap between hobbyist boards and industrial-grade solutions – combining desktop-class performance with scalable connectivity and software support. For those looking to implement RK3588 boards at scale or with custom hardware requirements, professional support and design services are available to accelerate development and deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What makes Rockchip RK3588 boards stand out in 2026?
RK3588 combines a powerful octa-core CPU, an advanced GPU, and a dedicated 6 TOPS NPU with rich I/O and multimedia support – making it highly capable for SBC projects that demand both compute and AI.
Q2. Is the Kiwi Pi 5B suitable for AI applications?
Yes. With a 6 TOPS NPU and multi-camera support, the Kiwi Pi 5B is well-suited for AI workloads such as vision processing and edge inference.
Q3. Can RK3588 boards handle 8K video output?
Most RK3588 boards support 8K video decoding and up to 8K display output via HDMI2.1, making them excellent for high-resolution media tasks.
Q4. What operating systems work on RK3588 SBCs?
Commonly supported OSes include various Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Debian) and Android builds customized for RK3588 hardware.
Sources
- Kiwi Pi 5B – Product info and specs (specifications and features).
- Rockchip RK3588 SBC overview (core architecture and interfaces).
- Rockchip RK3588 technical summary (SoC capabilities).
- ROCK 5B 8K Single Board Computer with Quad Display
- Orange Pi 5 Plus. OrangePi Wikipage
