Forlinx Debuts a Rockchip RK3572 System-on-Module With a 4 TOPS NPU

Forlinx Brings the Rockchip RK3572 to a Compact SoM

If you build embedded products for a living, the most exciting hardware is rarely the flashiest. On June 4, 2026, Forlinx launched what it bills as the first system-on-module (SoM) based on the Rockchip RK3572, paired with a matching development board and a Linux 6.12 board support package (BSP). It is a workhorse part, and it slots neatly into the growing family of affordable edge-AI building blocks.

A system-on-module is the pragmatic middle ground between a raw single-board computer (SBC) and a fully custom PCB: you drop the compute-heavy module onto a simpler carrier board you design yourself. That cuts development risk and time-to-market, which is exactly why SoMs are the quiet backbone of so much industrial hardware.

RK3572 Specs and the 4 TOPS NPU

The headline figure is a built-in NPU rated at 4 TOPS (trillion operations per second). That is not data-center territory, and it is not trying to be — it is squarely aimed at on-device inference for the kind of always-on tasks that define edge AI: object and presence detection, audio keyword spotting, light vision pipelines, and responsive human-machine interfaces (HMI).

Forlinx is explicitly targeting HMI applications, where a touch panel needs snappy, local intelligence without round-tripping to the cloud. With a 4 TOPS NPU handling inference and the Rockchip CPU running the interface, you get a responsive, self-contained controller — ideal for industrial panels, kiosks, smart appliances, and gateways.

Why the Linux 6.12 BSP Is the Real Story

Hardware is easy to launch and hard to support, so the Linux 6.12 BSP deserves a callout. A modern, well-maintained kernel base means longer security support, better driver coverage, and a smoother path for developers who want to build on top of the module rather than fight it. For commercial products with multi-year lifecycles, a current BSP is worth as much as any spec-sheet number.

Where the RK3572 SoM Fits

The Raspberry Pi 5 and the wave of Rockchip RK3588-class boards grab the enthusiast headlines, but parts like the RK3572 are where a lot of real shipping products live. It is the sensible choice when you need dependable local AI, a clean SoM-plus-carrier design flow, and long-term Linux support — without paying for compute you will never use.

For makers and product teams scoping an edge-AI build this year, the Forlinx RK3572 module is a welcome, no-drama option: modest, modern, and built to be designed-in. Sometimes the most useful new mini computer is the one engineered to disappear into a finished product.

Sources: CNX Software, "Forlinx launches Rockchip RK3572 system-on-module (SoM) and development board with Linux 6.12 BSP" (June 4, 2026).