Industrial systems are becoming more connected, software-defined and intelligent. Developers are increasingly being asked to support deterministic networking, real-time control, cybersecurity, edge computing and multiple industrial communication protocols while reducing development time and accelerating deployment.
At the same time, early evaluation and development with high-performance industrial processors can be challenging. Traditional evaluation platforms are often designed to expose every device feature, but they may introduce additional cost and complexity during the early stages of development.
To address these challenges, NXP introduced the FRDM-IMXRT1186 development board, the first FRDM platform built on the i.MX RT crossover microcontroller (MCU) family.
By combining the industrial capabilities of the i.MX RT1180 with the accessibility of the FRDM ecosystem, the board gives developers a practical platform for evaluating, prototyping and developing industrial automation, robotics, networking and edge computing applications.
Our FRDM development platform has become a popular choice among embedded developers by simplifying the path from evaluation to prototype development.
As the first FRDM board based on the i.MX RT crossover MCU family, the FRDM-IMXRT1186 combines a compact form factor, standardized expansion interfaces, integrated debugging and broad software compatibility on a platform that supports rapid evaluation and prototyping.
Developers can quickly explore industrial networking, motor control, edge computing and real-time control applications while leveraging the same software ecosystem used across the broader FRDM portfolio.
Ready to get started? Explore the FRDM-IMXRT1186 development board to begin building your next industrial design.
Whether you're building a proof of concept (POC), evaluating industrial networking technologies or putting together a customer demonstration, the FRDM-IMXRT1186 provides an accessible starting point for exploring the capabilities of the i.MX RT1180 crossover MCU.
At the heart of the FRDM-IMXRT1186 is the i.MX RT1180 crossover MCU, which is designed to manage real-time control and industrial communications simultaneously, addressing a key challenge in industrial automation.
The FRDM-IMXRT1186 combines:
Its heterogeneous architecture enables developers to separate communications and application workloads between dedicated processing cores. The Arm Cortex-M33 can be used for communication functions while the Arm Cortex-M7 handles application and control workloads, enabling developers to implement complex industrial systems more efficiently.
Target Applications:
A key advantage of the FRDM-IMXRT1186 is its connection to the broader FRDM ecosystem, where developers can combine the board with familiar tools, software and expansion options to accelerate evaluation, prototyping and application development. The ecosystem includes:
Together, these hardware and software resources help developers move from evaluation to prototype development efficiently while leveraging technologies commonly used in industrial automation, robotics, motor control and edge computing applications.
As factories become more connected and software-defined, industrial networking continues to evolve. To help developers adapt to this evolving landscape, the FRDM-IMXRT1186 provides developers with a platform for evaluating Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and industrial communication technologies using the integrated networking capabilities of the i.MX RT1180.
Port enablement for the FRDM-IMXRT1186 is expected to roll out later this year. In the meantime, developers can use the i.MX RT1180 EVK to begin evaluating the NXP Port Industrial Networking Suite and industrial communication protocols including:
Together, the hardware and software provide a foundation for developing connected industrial devices while helping simplify the integration of industrial networking capabilities.
For developers building PLCs, remote I/O modules, industrial gateways, servo drives and robotics applications, this combination provides a practical environment for exploring both real-time control and industrial networking on a single platform.
The i.MX RT1180 recently received the 2026 ICA Award for IT/OT Convergence Technology Breakthrough of the Year, recognizing its integration of real-time control, industrial networking and edge computing capabilities. The award recognizes technologies that advance industrial interoperability, deterministic networking, data integration and deployment of connected industrial system. For developers, this recognition highlights a broader industry trend: the convergence of IT and OT.
As industrial systems continue connecting the factory floor with enterprise and cloud environments, developers increasingly need platforms capable of supporting both deterministic control and data-driven operations. The i.MX RT1180 was designed with these requirements in mind, bringing together real-time processing, TSN networking, industrial communications and edge computing capabilities on a single platform.
Industrial automation is evolving rapidly. Developers are being tasked with building systems that are more connected, intelligent and adaptable than ever before. To help meet these demands, the FRDM-IMXRT1186 helps lower the barrier to entry by bringing the capabilities of the i.MX RT1180 crossover MCU into the FRDM ecosystem for the first time.
Whether you're developing a PLC, remote I/O device, industrial gateway, motor drive, robot controller or edge computing platform, the FRDM-IMXRT1186 provides an accessible platform for evaluating technologies that are shaping the future of industrial automation.
Will Wang takes the product manager role for 14 years crossing multiple departments in NXP and mainly focus on MCU new product introduction and rich management experience for wireless power and IIOT solutions. Bachelor of Electronic and communication systems in University of Bristol, Master of Computer Science in Oxford Brookes University.