Trends in the transition of RP to computer equipment were considered, domestic and foreign experience in creating microprocessor RPs, architectural features and options for the implementation of flexible devices and RP systems were analyzed. It is shown that flexibility, being one of the main properties of programmable RP of a new generation, provides expansion of their functional capabilities without additional hardware expansion. The expediency of using not only the procedural, but also the procedural-hardware method of programming the architecture and structure of the RP was noted.